[DOC] Modigliani: Drawings 102 Colour Plates by Maria Peitcheva in Arts-Photography

Description

The life of William Shakespeare; arguably the most significant figure in the Western literary canon; is relatively unknown. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1565; possibly on the 23rd April; St. Georgersquo;s Day; and baptised there on 26th April. Little is known of his education and the first firm facts to his life relate to his marriage; aged 18; to Anne Hathaway; who was 26 and from the nearby village of Shottery. Anne gave birth to their first son six months later. Shakespearersquo;s first play; The Comedy of Errors began a procession of real heavyweights that were to emanate from his pen in a career of just over twenty years in which 37 plays were written and his reputation forever established. This early skill was recognised by many and by 1594 the Lord Chamberlainrsquo;s Men were performing his works. With the advantage of Shakespearersquo;s progressive writing they rapidly became Londonrsquo;s leading company of players; affording him more exposure and; following the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603; a royal patent by the new king; James I; at which point they changed their name to the Kingrsquo;s Men. By 1598; and despite efforts to pirate his work; Shakespearersquo;s name was well known and had become a selling point in its own right on title pages. No plays are attributed to Shakespeare after 1613; and the last few plays he wrote before this time were in collaboration with other writers; one of whom is likely to be John Fletcher who succeeded him as the house playwright for the Kingrsquo;s Men. William Shakespeare died two months later on April 23rd; 1616; survived by his wife; two daughters and a legacy of writing that none have since yet eclipsed.