Chandos portrait
| Chandos portrait | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Attributed to John Taylor |
| Year | c. 1600 – 1610 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Subject | Most probably 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 used in the First Folio in 1623. It is named after the 3rd Duke of Chandos, who was a former owner. 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.
It has not been possible to determine with certainty who painted the portrait, or whether it actually depicts Shakespeare. However, the National Portrait Gallery believes that it "certainly fairly likely" does depict the writer.