The Chandos Head has been generally considered by the public, as the most authentic portrait of Shakspeare, and, especially, by Mr. Boaden; therefore, let us now examine the first printed authority on it in competition with the Felton portrait. Accordingly I will give that which Mr. Malone has so ably asserted : "Mr. Granger observes, (Biog. Hist. vol. I. page 259,) that "it has been said, there never was an original portrait of Shakspeare, but that Sir Thomas Clarges, after his death, caused a portrait to be drawn for him, from a person who nearly resembled him." This entertaining writer was a great collector of anecdotes, but not always very scrupulous in inquiring into the authenticity of the information which he procured; for this improbable tale, I find, on examination, stands only on the assertion of an anonymous writer, in The Gentleman's Magazine, for August, 1759, who boldly" affirmed it as an absolute fact;" but being afterwards publicly called upon to produce his authority, never produced any. There is the strongest reason, therefore, to presume it a forgery." "Mr. Walpole (adds Mr. Granger) informs me, that the only original picture of Shakspeare, is that which belonged to Mr. Keck, from whom it passed to Mr. Nicol, whose only daughter married the Marquis of Caernavon,” (now Duke of Chandos.) |