oil on canvas, unlined There is no one portrait that is unanimously considered to represent the great English playwright William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The portrait that is thought to have the strongest claim is 'The Chandos Portrait' which was painted between 1600 and 1610 and is thought to have perhaps served as the basis for the engraved portraits of Shakespeare used in early 17th-century publications of his works. The portrait is named after the Dukes of Chandos, who formerly owned the painting before it was given to the National Portrait Gallery, London on its foundation in 1856.1 The present, later portrait is seemingly a derivation after one of the multiple prints said to depict the playwright that were all modelled upon the Chandos portrait. See Lot 73 in this sale for an allegorical depiction of Shakespeare's tomb by Angelika Kauffmann. 1 //www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw11574/William-Shakespeare?LinkID=mp04051&role=sit&rNo=0

All paintings available to view at the Sotheby’s Greenford Park warehouse, 5 - 7 and 10 – 13 September (10 - 4pm), by appointment. The canvas is unlined. The painting is dirty - the varnish dulled and thick, and also appears rather uneven on inspection under UV light. There is a degree of frame abrasion along the top margin, and three minor knocks to the canvas that are visible to the naked eye - one under the collar on the right, one in the lower right quarter in the darks of his jacket and one in his hair on the left of his face. There is a small loss at the lower centre margin. In overall fair condition. Offered in a carved and gilt wood frame in fair condition.
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