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Named after Mrs Charles Flower, who donated to the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1895, this was once thought to be the portrait from which the engraving in the 1623 First Folio was copied. If so this would be the only known image of Shakespeare during his lifetime. The painting is on a wood panel of an early date.

Finely painted but of unusual style, the picture’s early history is unknown and after initially being authenticated by several experts doubt was soon cast over it being genuine. Various tests were carried out through the 20th century with no firm result, except to show that the painting is directly over an earlier Italian religious picture. Parts of this can be seen around Shakespeare’s head where the background has been heavily cleaned back. Then in 2005 chemical analysis of paint samples from key parts of the picture revealed that it cannot have been painted earlier than the early 19th century due to use of a yellow pigment not invented until then.

However, this remains an iconic image of Shakespeare as a lifelike variation of the Folio image. It is also evidence of the growth of Shakespeare’s importance as a playwright and poet in the 19th century. As his works were widely published and performed he became recognised as the foremost writer in Britain and a national symbol to an extent that was described as “bardolatry”.  Underlining this was a search for “relics” which led among other practises to the widespread painting and adaptation of portraits to be sold as original and so meet that demand.

Category: People , Painting

Institute: Royal Shakespeare Company 

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