Portraits of Shakespeare

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During Shakespeare's lifetime, curiosity about his appearance was already evident, yet his likeness remains elusive. This raises questions about the scarcity of authentic images from his era, the reliability of those created by people close to him, and the frequent emergence of newly 'discovered' representations. Scholar Katherine Duncan-Jones delves into these inquiries, starting with the tradition of 'author portraits' surrounding Shakespeare's life. She critiques three images most likely created during his lifetime: the bust in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon; the 'Droeshout engraving' from the 1623 First Folio; and the 'Chandos portrait,' painted in the early seventeenth century. Through innovative research, she proposes a new candidate for the painter of the 'Chandos' portrait, shedding light on Shakespeare's later years. The book also explores the legacy of these images as memorials, their roles in advertising and graphic art, and their adaptations in later statues, all reflecting an ongoing desire to visualize one of literature's most iconic figures. This generously illustrated work provides a fresh perspective on the quest to capture Shakespeare's image and the cultural significance of his portrayal.