In spite of current research, no one really knows what the real Shakespeare looked like. The earliest portraits that we have of him are the Chandos portrait (on which this paper doll is loosely based) painted according to tradition by fellow actor Richard Burbage. The Droeshout Portrait, seen on the first folio, was not published until 1623 (seven years after Shakespeare's death) and may be based on a previously lost painting. The Shakespeare tomb monument may not be considered highly accurate since it has been restored several times with varying expertise. The Flowers portrait, bearing the date 1609, thought by some to be the painting on which Droeshout's portrait is based has recently been proven to be an early Victorian fake. To see other possiblities, check out the following:
The first panel shows Shakespeare at the right wearing an outfit based on the Madame Toussaud version wearing an open patterned gold sleeveless jerkin, tight fitting sleeves and pale blue shirt. His combination panelled trunk hose and canions have the yellow lining showing through. He also wears black hose and leather shoes.
At left Shakespeare practices the part of Bottom the Weaver in his "A Midsummer Night's Dream," written in circa 1594. Bottom wears a linsey woolsey grey jerkin with black sleeves, a blue shirt, and wool trunk hose and canions with a codpiece. His ass head has a flowers and berry garland collected by Titania's fairies.
At left in panel two Shakespeare plays Hamlet's father's ghost in Hamlet, written about 1601. Shakespeare is actually believed to have originated the part. Here he wears the Renaissance armor of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, from the National Portrait Gallery, London, ca 1592. The plumed helmet and breastplate are worn over a cream colored doublet. The paned slops and canions are highly patterned with braid. Picadils form tabs over the doublet. The clothing is painted green because there is a tradition in British theatre that ghosts appear in green--shades of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
The gown at right is based on a false sleeved gown worn by a London merchant. By the time Shakespeare retired, he had become very successful and his gown would show that.
This page was created by C. David Claudon, August 14, 2006. Last update September 15, 2006 .
For information on obtaining these prints, contact me
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