Portraits of Shakespeare This portrait was identified in the mid-seventeenth century as a portrait of Shakespeare made during his lifetime, though the identity remains highly probable, rather than proven. There are several portraits dated to the 17th century that have been claimed to represent Shakespeare, although in each the sitter is either unidentified or the identification with Shakespeare is debatable. Share this page: Navigation. Per usual, the authenticity of the portraits are questioned and investigated.  Shakespeare's Birth The poet, actor and playwright William Shakespeare is one of the world’s most celebrated cultural figures, and it is perhaps appropriate that this painting was the first to be presented to the newly founded National Portrait Gallery in 1856. The "Chandos" portrait is one of the most famous of the portraits that may depict William Shakespeare (1564–1616). Men wore them extensively in the sixteenth century, the most fashionable sporting elaborate dangling confections of pearls and jewels. Choose your favourite portrait from our Collection as a framed or unframed print for your home. Posted in Authorship Studies, Shakespeare Mythology | Tagged Chandos portrait, Christopher Marlowe portrait, Droeshout engraving, English Shakespeare, Grafton portrait, shakespeare likeness, Shakespeare portrait The gold earring in The Chandos Portrait surprises many people. [1] It is named after James Brydges, 3rd Duke of Chandos, an early owner. If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. The frame was probably made in the 1760s for a portrait measuring thirty by twenty-five inches, and was subsequently cut down (hence the off-centre reversal of the top edge ribbon-and-stick) and enriched with compo shells at the corners to suit an early nineteenth-century taste. This was painted some time between 1600 and 1610 and is now on display at London’s National Portrait Gallery. The Chandos Portrait is one of six in the National Portrait Gallery show that have been identified or misidentified as representing William Shakespeare.  Shakespeare's Language So its early history is fairly well documented. Shakspere / engraved by R.A. Artlett, from the Chandos portrait. This potrait was the first acquired by the National Portrait Gallery, in 1856. The article explores the connections between the portrait and the Jesuit enclave that existed at Grafton Manor, as well as the portrait's connections to Wroxton Abbey. Please could you let us know your source of information. This is the only portrait of Shakespeare that has a good claim to have been painted from life, and may be by a painter called John Taylor who was an important member of the Painter-Stainers' Company. The work is known today as the ‘Chandos’ portrait after a previous owner. associated with John Tayloroil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1600-161021 3/4 in. The "Chandos" portrait is the most famous of the portraits that may depict William Shakespeare (1564–1616). 1 The Whiston frame still bears the pink label of the 1857 Manchester Art Treasures exhibition to which the Shakespeare was lent as no.85. I have no proof that such a thing happened. Title: Portrait of William Shakespeare, The Chandos Portrait Artist: John Taylor (1585 - 1651) Original Size: 43 x 55 cms / 16.9 x 21.7 inches Medium: Oil on Canvas Location: National Portrait Gallery, London, UK Photo Credit: Bridgeman Art Library Image ID: XCF-266086 ~~~  Shakespeare as Actor and Playwright George Scharf, the Gallery's Director, records Mr Dickinson of Foord & Dickinson calling to discuss a new frame on 2 February 1864. The work will be the centrepiece of an exhibition Writers of Influence: Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling, displaying 61 of the Gallery's most important literary portraits. Painted between 1600 and 1610, it may have served as the basis for the engraved portrait of Shakespeare used in the First Folio in 1623.  Shakespeare's Marriage  Shakespeare's Ancestry SHAKESPEARE'S CHANDOS PORTRAIT PAINTING Cooper, who completed a three-and-a-half year study of all the portraits purporting to be of Shakespeare, believes that the Chandos portrait painting, donated to the National Portrait Gallery in 1856, is the most likely representation of Shakespeare. He spent most of his working life in London, first as an actor and then as a playwright, providing plays for the immensely popular public theatres and the court. We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published. The Chandos portrait of Shakespeare is named after its owners, the Dukes of Chandos. National Portrait Gallery, London. On Davenant's death, it was acquired by the actor Thomas Betterton and, while owned by him, was copied by Kneller. 2 Trustees Minutes 1 December 1863, 15 February 1864; Secretary's Journal (1861-65), 2 February, 26 and 30 March, 9, 19 and 23 April 1864; Duplicate of accounts vol.I, pp 18, 44. He was born in Stratford-upon- Avon, the son of a glover, and attended the local grammar school, the King's New School. This is the only portrait of Shakespeare that has a good claim to have been painted from life, and may be by a painter called John Taylor who was an important member of the Painter-Stainers' Company. Please note that we cannot provide valuations. This painting, now known as the Chandos Portrait, was painted between 1600 and 1610, so the timing fits. The painting could have been displayed in a theatre in the mid-seventeenth century, as Davenant lived at the Fortune Theatre in London. The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare is set to undergo a rigorous cleaning process that could reveal that the classic image of our most famous playwright could be somewhat inaccurate. Some believe that Shakespeare's friend and fellow actor Richard Burbage painted it and gave it to Joseph Taylor, an actor with the King's Men. It can be found at this link:  Shakespeare's Lost Years The portraits were the Chandos portrait (top left), the Darmstadt Shakespeare death mask (top right), what she called the original Flower portraits … Please Like other favourites! If you have information to share please complete the form below. Can you tell us more about this portrait?  Shakespeare's Parents The "Chandos" Portrait of Shakespeare Shakespeare gave the painting to them as a wedding gift. The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare attributed to a little-known artist named John Taylor. Shakespeare's Burial It bears a good similarity to Shakespeare’s memorial bust and to an engraved likeness included in his published works in 1623. The first portrait acquired by the Gallery on its foundation in 1856; a modest portrait, with a strong claim to authenticity, of the most celebrated writer of the English language. The Chandos portrait is the most famous of the portraits that may depict William Shakespeare (1564–1616). When Betterton died, it was acquired for 40 guineas by a barrister, Robert Keck, who provided information about it to Vertue. The Chandos portrait of Shakespeare The Chandos portrait of Shakespeare Full-size image: 6.4 KB | View Download. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. How do you know this? Poet and playwright William Shakespeare was described by his contemporary Ben Jonson as the 'soul of the age'. If they inspire you please support our work. Can you tell us more about this portrait? Look right round a selection of sculptures in our Collection, Explore who is who in our group portraits, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HESwitchboard: +44 (0) 20 7306 0055, Find out more about the Inspiring People project, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service. The Chandos Portrait is probably one of the most famous, most recognized, and most used portraits of Shakespeare. “The Chandos Portrait of William Shakespeare” is believed to depict the famous playwright, regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. "It would be lovely to be categorical," she added. The Chandos portrait was the first painting given to the gallery, in 1856. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and in the later 1580s joined a company of actors. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/heyj.13053 The simple costume worn by the sitter of a black doublet and falling collar, is similar to that seen in the portrait of Ben Jonson, Shakespeare’s contemporary. (552 mm x 438 mm) overallGiven by Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere, 1856Primary CollectionNPG 1.  Shakespeare's Siblings The Chandos Portrait. And then, moving sideways, Mr. Alec Cobbe’s very splendid portrait is very, very like the one at the Folger, as Mr. Cobbe himself recognized. Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine(? The engraved portrait of Shakespeare, on the title page of the first publication of his works, shows distinct similarities when compared to this painting. The posthumous publication of Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies ('the First Folio') in 1623 was a milestone in the recognition of plays as lasting, influential works of literature, as they were commonly considered to be ephemeral texts that belonged to the theatre by which they were commissioned. This is the only painted portrait of Shakespeare that has a good claim to have been painted from the life. The notebooks of the eighteenth-century antiquarian George Vertue record that the portrait was at one point owned by Shakespeare's godson William Davenant, and that it was painted by 'one Taylor, a Player and painter', who was a contemporary of Shakespeare; this is believed to be a reference to John Taylor, who was a member of the Painter–Stainers' Company. Hulme, Graham; Buchanan, Brian; Powell, Kenneth. British engraver George Vertue spoke of a person named John Taylor, whom he described as an actor and painter — and perhaps the very artist responsible for the famed “Chandos portrait” of Shakespeare. There was an actor called Joseph Taylor mentioned in the First Folio; and a John Taylor is recorded in the minute books of the Company of Painter-Stainers in the 1620s; but there is only one person in Shakespeare's life who was well regarded as a painter and as an actor and he was Richard Burbage. The ‘Chandos' portrait is attributed to the artist John Taylor and is named after a previous owner. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button.  Shakespeare's Contemporaries The Chandos Portrait is lifelike and was thought to have been painted by a member of Shakespeare’s acting company, Richard Burbage. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day. Like some other celebrated pictures, the so-called 'Chandos Portrait' of Shakespeare has been reframed several times in its history. It is of workmanlike quality, and since the eighteenth century has vied with the Droeshout engraving as the most reproduced and adapted. Taylor then left the painting to William Davenant, the man who claimed to be Shakespeare's illegitimate son. It was intended that the cost of £4.10s should be partly offset by sale of the old frame, but in the event it was kept and fitted to a portrait of William Whiston.1 A further eighteen shillings was spent in April 1864 altering and recolouring the new frame.2 The rather horrific result echoes panel frames of the late seventeenth century but the dark background gives the frame a rather earlier feel. All contributions are moderated. Summary William Shakespeare, bust portrait, facing left.  Shakespeare's Education Whoever it is by, the portrait is fascinating as a document of Shakespeare's appearance, with an earring in his left ear and a look of ruffian intelligence. William Shakespeare 1 William Shakespeare William Shakespeare The Chandos portrait, artist and authenticity unconfirmed. Opening in Sheffield in April, the exhibition will travel to Southampton, Plymouth and Sunderland. By chance, the National Portrait Gallery owns two of the previous frames, dating to the early 1800s and the 1860s; what we lack is the original frame, which was presumably a modest plain black moulding perhaps with a gilt sight edge. The Chandos Painting of William Shakespeare. The Flower Portrait, oil on canvas, artist unknown, Courtesy of the Royal Shakespeare Company The painting is from the collection of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Documentary sources suggest that it was painted by a little-known artist who went by the name ‘Taylor’ (possibly John Taylor [d.1651]). The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. If you tick permission to publish your name will appear above your contribution on our website. The portrait is known as the 'Chandos portrait', after a previous owner, and was the first portrait to be acquired by the National Portrait Gallery, when it was founded in 1856. The Chandos Portrait, so-named for its one-time owner, the Duke of Chandos, has an illustrious history on its own right.Not only is it the only portrait of Shakespeare … directory: home: contact You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Switchboard: +44 (0) 20 7306 0055, You must have Javascript enabled to view zooming images, We are currently closed until spring 2023, while essential building works take place, His Picture in Little: Shakespeare, Hamlet and Tacita Dean, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/heyj.13053, Making History: Printed Portraiture in Tudor and Stuart Britain, National Portrait Gallery works in Elizabeth to Victoria exhibition at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Tudor and Elizabethan portraits used in matching pairs. It was said by George Vertue, the eighteenth-century antiquary, to have been painted 'by one Taylor a Player and painter contemporary with Shakespeare and his intimate friend' and to have been left by John Taylor to Sir William Davenant, the poet laureate, who claimed to be Shakespeare's godson. Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? Its provenance gives it a reasonable claim to authenticity and the likely artist was a contemporary of Shakespeare. Cousins based this mezzotint on the Chandos portrait of Shakespeare, a work with a good claim to be a lifetime representation. Undoubtedly the most influential playwright in history, his works include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet (both c.1594–6), Hamlet (c.1600), Macbeth (1606) and The Tempest (1609–11). We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind. In the 1950s or 1960s the portrait was put in a shadow box, a simple glazed box, with a velvet background, a fashionable solution at the time.3 In 1983 an old mock tortoiseshell frame from store was dismantled and cut down, and the sight and back edges replaced by John Davies at a cost of £206.60. The Chandos Portrait is unique because it is thought to have been painted from life, meaning William Shakespeare sat for the portrait to be done on purpose. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble.  Shakespeare's Influence It does resemble the Droeshout engraving, though. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints.  Quotes About Shakespeare  Most Common Questions About Shakespeare. Its Maratta frame was regilded in 1858, only to be removed in 1864 at the wish of the Trustees who considered the portrait was 'seen to disadvantage in its present frame'. This was the first portrait to be acquired by the Gallery and remains one of its most important, since it is the only reaonsably authentic contemporary likeness of Shakespeare. Perhaps even a bit sarcastic. x 17 1/4 in.  Shakespeare and the Gunpowder Plot The earliest recorded frame was a Maratta type, which may have been fitted to the picture when it came to Stowe from the Chandos collection sometime in the early nineteenth century. Its author is unknown, but the name originates with its previous owners, the Flower family, who donated it to Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at the end of the 19 th century. Once owned by the 3rd Duke of Chandos, the painting given to London's National Portrait Gallery in 1856 by Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere as the gallery’s founding portrait. Please see my story recently published in The Heythrop Journal entitled "All Roads Lead to Campion: George North, William Shakespeare, and the Chandos Portrait". Believed to have been painted from life between 1600 and 1610, it may have served as the basis for the engraved portrait of Shakespeare used in the First Folio in 1623. Contributions are moderated. It was the very modesty of the original frame which would have made it seem inappropriate to a later owner wanting something more conspicuous. His prodigious output included poems, sonnets, history plays, tragedies and comedies. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? It is known from public records that he married Anne Hathaway and had three children together; scholars have analysed their relationship through these documents, and particularly through the bequests to her in his will . The portrait is known as the 'Chandos portrait', after a previous owner, and was the first portrait to be acquired by the National Portrait Gallery, when it was founded in 1856. The sexuality of William Shakespeare has been the subject of recurring debate. 4 inches wide. The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. Very little is known about Shakespeare's physical appearance and his body measurements, such as his height and weight, so what did the Bard really look like?  Shakespeare's Children This portrait portrays someone who is studied and intelligent. The portrait was the National Portrait Gallery's first recorded acquisition, and was given by the Earl of Ellesmere in 1856, the year of the Gallery's foundation. DUNCAN-JONES: It came from the owner, Mr. Alec Cobbe, who saw it and then saw a portrait of Shakespeare in the Folger, which was then thought to be of Shakespeare, is actually of Thomas Overbury. There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. The Chandos Portrait is one of six in the National Portrait Gallery show that have been identified or misidentified as representing William Shakespeare. Painted between 1600 and 1610, it may have served as the basis for the engraved portrait of Shakespeare used in the First Folio in 1623. The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare, held in the National Portrait Gallery. 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