Ghostly hidden portrait discovered by X-rays
A rare painting of Shakespeare's only known patron, which has not been seen since the 16th Century, has been discovered by X-rays.The picture - believed to be of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton - has been hidden since was painted over with and image of his wife Elizabeth Vernon more than 400 years ago.
The discovery occurred which students at the University of Bristol X-rayed the image in preparation for show at Montacute House, Somerset.
The overlying image shows Elizabeth Vernon, a maid of honour to Elizabeth I, who was involved in an intrigue with Henry Wriothesley in 1595.
But experts now say the hidden image closely resembles portraits of her husband made around the same time. Shakespeare dedicated Venus and Adonis to him in 1593.
"It is thought that the unknown artist of this portrait painted over the image, possibly because a commission for a double portrait of husband and wife was abandoned in favour of the single portrait seen today," said a spokesperson for the university.
"Another very similar version of this portrait, attributed to van Somer, exists at Sherborne Castle, Dorset, very close to Montacute House."
But experts now say the hidden image closely resembles portraits of her husband made around the same time. Shakespeare dedicated Venus and Adonis to him in 1593.
"It is thought that the unknown artist of this portrait painted over the image, possibly because a commission for a double portrait of husband and wife was abandoned in favour of the single portrait seen today," said a spokesperson for the university. "Another very similar version of this portrait, attributed to van Somer, exists at Sherborne Castle, Dorset, very close to Montacute House."
