| Chandos portrait | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Attributed to John Taylor |
| Year | c. 1600–1610 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Subject | William Shakespeare |
| Dimensions | 55.2 cm × 43.8 cm (21+3⁄4 in × 17+1⁄4 in) |
| Location | National Portrait Gallery, London |
| Accession | NPG 1 |
The Chandos portrait is an oil painted portrait thought to depict William Shakespeare (1564–1616). Painted between 1600 and 1610, it may have served as the basis for the engraved portrait of Shakespeare[citation needed] used in the First Folio in 1623.[1] It is named after the 3rd Duke of Chandos, who formerly owned the painting. The portrait was given to the National Portrait Gallery, London on its foundation in 1856, and it was the first portrait to be acquired for its collection.[2]
It has not been possible to determine with certainty who painted the portrait, or whether it really depicts Shakespeare. However, the National Portrait Gallery believes that it "certainly fairly likely" does depict the writer.[2][3]
- ^ "National Portrait Gallery – Portrait NPG 1; William Shakespeare". London: National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ a b Tarnya Cooper (ed), Searching for Shakespeare, National Portrait Gallery and Yale Center for British Art, Yale University Press, 2006, pp. 54–61
- ^ Higgins, Charlotte (2 March 2006). "The only true painting of Shakespeare – probably". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2008.