Portrait of William Shakespeare

Numerous portraits described as portraying William Shakespeare are known to exist. Although the sixteenth-century poet and playwright has been depicted by many artists, few portraits have any real claim to bearing a genuine likeness of the man himself.

This portrait dates from the nineteenth century and portrays Shakespeare at bust-length wearing an olive costume and white collar. Facing slightly to the left, his gaze looks out towards the viewer. This painting habitually hung in the actors' dressing room at Sadlers Wells theatre.