Back in March, I blogged about the unveiling of the Cobbe portrait – believed to be the only authenticated likeness of Shakespeare as it was painted during his lifetime. Since the unveiling of the newly-restored canvas in April, it has been on public display in Stratford-upon-Avon next door to Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
I was pleased to read last week that, due to intense public interest, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has extended the exhibition until 4 October 2009. The Cobbe portrait has attracted 20,000 visitors from around the world in only six months and has “set the cat amongst the pigeons” for Shakespeare scholars.
In particular, many believe that the existence of the Cobbe portrait challenges some of the Shakespeare authorship conspiracies.
Personally, the Cobbe portrait continues to excite me because it is a very tangible piece of historic evidence to fuel debate amongst Shakespeare scholars. New Shakespeare-related evidence rarely surfaces, so I think we should savor every moment of the excitement (and controversy) that the Cobbe portrait brings us.
The Cobbe portrait of William Shakespeare will be on display at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon until 4 October 2009.
What’s your reaction to the Cobbe portrait? Perhaps you’ve visited the exhibition? Perhaps you doubt its authenticity? As always, I can’t wait to read your views.
Copyright notice: The Cobbe Portrait of William Shakespeare is reproduced by agreement between The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and the copyright holders
Comments
Have you asked yourself why you haven’t seen a photograph of the Cobbe prior to its 2002 restoration? That restoration was quite controversial in that its owner removed a layer of paint contemporary to Shakespeare’s lifetime, a terrible mistake that’s even stranger in light of the fact the exact same blunder occurred with the Janssen portrait in DC in 1988. Look very closely in the background of the Cobbe, especially around that dubious inscription (exlamation points?) and ask yourself: is this the original layer of paint?
Have they released any x-rays regarding the Cobbe? Never believe any portrait is Shakespeare if the owners are hoarding information or scared of testing or won’t release the results of tests to the public. It might be legit, the Cobbe, but people who have nothing to hide behave one way, and people who are up to no good behave another way.
The history of Shakespeare portraits would argue it’s best to be discerning. Lots of potraits have drawn crowds at Stratford.
If you’re interested in Shakespeare’s face, look at the Chandos and the Flower. Research the history of the Flower. It’s debunking was completely unfair and unfounded.
Also if you’re iterested in the Cobbe hit the Folger Library website and take a look at the Archer portrait of Shakespeare (once famous itself): it’s obviously the same sitter but for some reason I can’t figure out nobody is admitting this.
This is a link to an informative Time magazine article that addresses some of Lee’s questions and concerns.
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1883770,00.html
“Cobbe portrait a success” — please! There is and was no reason to believe that the Cobbe was a portrait of Shakespeare, beyond the fact that it was linked to the Earl of Southampton plus a lot of wishful thinking on the part of Wells. Art historians have identified the sitter as Sir Thomas Overbury. End of story.