Shakespeare Reading (1873) by William Page, hand-painted oil painting reproduction by a master artist
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Shakespeare Reading Hand-painted oil painting reproduction

Dimensions
165.0 x 99.0cm

This 1873 portrait by William Page captures Shakespeare in quiet contemplation. Shop this timeless oil on canvas reproduction today.

An American portraitist known for his remarkable Titian copies. Discover the timeless art of William Page today.

Hand Made Oil Reproduction

Hand-painted oil on canvas in your size and frame, made to order by our artists. ( Switch to Print Switch to Digital Image)

Corner sample of the P118B picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
P118B $10
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Corner sample of the P118W picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the P805H picture frame: moulded polystyrene, 5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W106C picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W218G picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W218JH picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W218JH $8
Corner sample of the W218Y picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W307PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W316G picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316G $10
Corner sample of the W316PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316PJ $8
Corner sample of the W316Y picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick
W316Y $10
Corner sample of the W398PJ picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W4111J picture frame: solid wood, 6.5 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W500HY picture frame: solid wood, 7 cm wide and 5 cm thick
W500HY $15
Corner sample of the W500JH picture frame: solid wood, 7 cm wide and 5 cm thick
W500JH $15
Corner sample of the W692G picture frame: solid wood, 8 cm wide and 4 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W849H picture frame: solid wood, 5 cm wide and 3 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W940BG picture frame: solid wood, 7.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm thick
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Corner sample of the W953PJ picture frame: solid wood, 6 cm wide and 3.5 cm thick
W953PJ $8

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Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

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Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. This is hand-painted, so for a size with a different shape the artist can paint a bit more around the picture, or cut a bit — you choose. We send you a digital mockup to approve before the painting starts. The picture shown on this page does not show the real result — only the mockup does.

Examples of what can be changed: Replace face with customer photo; Add pet (e.g., replace cat with dog); Include hidden message in background; Change background landscape or elements.
After order, WahooArt.com team will email client for instructions and provide a mockup preview

Worldwide Delivery () in 3/4 weeks instead of standard 5 weeks. (18 November). No compromise on quality.

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Total Price

$ 272

Shakespeare Reading

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 272

Quick Facts

  • Medium: oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 165.3 x 99.2 cm
  • Artistic style: 19th-century academic portrait
  • Notable elements or techniques: Visible oil paint texture, soft lines
  • Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
What is the medium used for this artwork?
Question 2:
In what year was this painting created?
Question 3:
Where is this artwork currently located?
Question 4:
What is the subject's occupation as identified in the classification?
Question 5:
What is the approximate size of the painting in centimeters?

A Moment of Quiet Contemplation

A man sits in a moment of profound stillness, his attention anchored to a small book held within his hands. The composition is a vertical three-quarter length portrait, positioning the subject slightly off-center to create an intimate, scholarly atmosphere. Deep browns, burgundies, and dark greens dominate the palette, grounding the figure in a somber, academic environment. Light enters from the upper left, casting soft shadows across the face and catching the crisp white of a collar, which provides a sharp point of contrast against the heavy, dark fabrics of his doublet. The setting is defined by layered textures and indistinct shadows. A heavy green drapery and a red cloth-covered surface provide a sense of depth behind the figure, ensuring the focus remains on the intellectual pursuit symbolized by the act of reading.

Technical Execution and Composition

The oil on canvas reveals a classical, realistic style characterized by visible brushwork and a focus on the tactile quality of materials. The artist employs a painterly approach to define the folds of the clothing and the weight of the textiles.
  • Medium: oil on canvas
  • Date: 1873-1874
  • Subject: Portrait male, knee length
  • Classification: Recreation — leisure — reading; Occupation — writer — playwright
The perspective is set at eye-level, establishing a direct connection between the viewer and the subject. This arrangement emphasizes the quietude of the scene, transforming a formal portrait into a study of concentration.

Historical Context and Style

Created in 1873-1874, this work reflects a 19th-century academic approach to portraiture. The style is reminiscent of the great masters, particularly the influence of Titian, which the artist sought to master during his time in Italy. The painting captures a sense of scholarly gravity, utilizing a formal structure to depict a figure engaged in private thought. The work remains part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection.

Questions & Answers

How do the colors of "Shakespeare Reading" relate to each other?

The colors of "Shakespeare Reading" by William Page show a strong color unity harmony. Harmony describes how the colors relate to each other.

Is a high-resolution download of "Shakespeare Reading" available?

To get a digital file of "Shakespeare Reading" by William Page, order a high-resolution digital image download on its Digital Image page.

What feeling do the colors of "Shakespeare Reading" by William Page create?

In "Shakespeare Reading", earthy colors accompany a reflective feeling.


Artist Biography

The Life and Artistic Journey of William Page

Born in Albany, United States, William Page was a versatile American painter and portrait artist. His early training began in the office of Frederick de Peyster, followed by studies in the studio of James Herring. He eventually became a pupil of Samuel F. Morse and enrolled at the National Academy of Design, where his drawings in the antique class earned him a silver medal. After a brief period studying theology at the Andover Theological Seminar and Amherst College, he returned to the world of art.

Page's career saw him move between New York and Boston, eventually spending eleven years residing in Florence and Rome. During his time in Italy, he painted portraits of notable figures such as Robert and Elizabeth Browning. He was deeply inspired by the works of the great masters, particularly Titian, whose painting method he sought to discover. His copies of Titian's works were so remarkable that one was once seized by Florentine authorities under the belief that it was an original.

Notable Works and Legacy

Throughout his career, Page executed a wide array of subjects, from religious scenes like "Moses and Aaron on Mount Horeb" and "The Holy Family" to portraits of prominent individuals. His portraiture included likenesses of:

In addition to his painting, Page was a man of diverse interests; he wrote A New Geometrical Method of Measuring the Human Figure and held patents for various improvements in guns and boats. He died on Staten Island.

William Page

William Page

1811 - 1885 , United States

Quick Facts

  • Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Titian']
  • Full Name: William Page
  • Nationality: American
  • Notable Artworks:
    • View of Athens
    • Venus
    • Moses and Aaron on Mount Horeb
    • Infant Bacchus
    • Flight into Egypt
    • The Young Merchants
    • The Last Interview
    • Ruth and Naomi
    • Cupid
  • Place Of Birth: Albany, United States
  • Date Of Birth: 1811
  • Date Of Death: 1885
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