The Shakespeare Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon, headquarters of the International Shakespeare Society and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, opened in 1964 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.
The original entrance hall features engraved glass panels depicting 19 of Shakespeare’s most famous characters. These are the work of John Hutton who was responsible for the West Screen at the new Coventry Cathedral. The Walter Scott postcard company photographed the panels in 1965 for a series of postcards.
Initially the brief was for portraits of notable Shakespearean actors, but Hutton’s techniques were not suitable for portraiture, instead he chose to depict characters from Shakespeare’s plays, with the intent they be “instantly recognisable to any viewer.”
This is part of the Series: WSA01/01 Walter Scott Series One - Negatives; within the Collection: WSA01 Walter Scott Archive
© Historic England Archive
Artist: Hutton, John
Window, 20th Century Study Centre, Library, Office, Art And Design