William Shakespeare
Publisher Illman and Sons American
Subject William Shakespeare British
Not on view
This engraved book illustration is based on the Chandos portrait of Shakespeare, a painting with a good claim to have been made during he subject's lifetime. Once owned by the Duke of Chandos, the painting later became the first to enter London's National Portrait Gallery in 1856. The subject wears a beard and mustache, plain doublet, soft white collar, and an earring. Some believe the original to have been painted by John Taylor, the actor and painter-stainer who was its first recorded owner; others think it was made by Shakespeare's friend the actor Richard Burbage.
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