Shakespeare Portrait Claimed As Only One Painted When He Was Alive Goeth On Sale
The literary world has much ado about something. A painting said to be the only one of William Shakespeare that was created, signed, and dated during his lifetime has been unveiled, after remaining behind closed doors.
So far, only two other works are believed to be depicting the playwright, but those were created after his death in 1616. This portrait, attributed to Robert Peake—who was the court painter of King James I—may be the most accurate portrayal of Shakespeare if proven to be authentic, as it was produced when he was alive.
Peake jotted down his subject’s age, 44, on the artwork, marking the year down as 1608, when the Bard was indeed 44 years old. The piece sees its bearded sitter with blue-gray eyes, curly locks, and a receding hairline.
Is this what Shakespeare really looked like?
— Sam Holder (@samholdertv) November 16, 2022
A team of researchers claim this was the only portrait of him painted during his lifetime.
But is there any evidence?
Watch on @itvlondon pic.twitter.com/EgWjdD4IXV
As per the Guardian, the picture is now on display at Grosvenor House hotel in west London, and it has also been put up for sale for over £10 million (US$11.9 million). The owner, who wishes to keep their identity a secret, has forgone the auction route and is selling the portrait by private treaty.
Robert Peake was a highly-acclaimed artist during his time, having painted for many members of elite status. He was also commissioned by the Office of the Revels, the Crown administration in charge of licensing and showcase of plays, including Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, The Comedy of Errors, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, and Richard II.
The portrait had been in the private possession of the current owner since 1975. Before that, it was hung in the library of the Danby family.
Duncan Phillips, who studied the painting before it went on sale, says the work has been kept in good condition for 400 years thanks to the care of “a family of Shakespeare enthusiasts” who displayed the work in their library.
Like several other portraits purporting to represent the real Shakespeare, this one is also being subjected to scrutiny, with Shakespeare scholar Michael Dobson dismissing its claims of legitimacy as “wishful thinking,” according to the Daily Mail.
To be or not to be the real thing? That is the question.
[via The Guardian and Express & Star, images via various sources]
