His likeness

Again a portrait appears from the depths of time claiming to be a true likeness of WS.

This time the Cobbe portrait, owned by an Anglo-Irish family, who inherited it from the 3rd Earl of Southampton?

This latter being Sh’s patron and reputed to be the fair young man of the sonnets.

Strangely for Stanley’s sake I hope it’s not Raleigh. Beware the alliance of prince’s, Horace. Oh dear!

The world’s news-desks now issue forth articles geared to their local readership.

I loved the LA column, will link when i re-found. The comments filled with cries of glee, irony, or dismay from enthusiasts and detractors.

I am not enthused. Passionate slave I am, i receive news of Shakespeare’s exploits from a variety of informed and random sources. Often before it hits the wire. Whatever happened to that Early Modern criticism of Richard 2nd, Stanley uncovered some four five years ago?

This portrait for me is old news, 2006 it first appeared says Hardy, and as verifiable as it seems, it’s as unpalatable as cold meats on a wedding table. It smacks of privilege and station, redolent of the Nobility from which it stems.

Yet the sitter was no Noble, the painter either. The great social authorship divide, nay gulf; neither: abysm, shows it’s ugly head each time a portrait paints us into a corner to say yes this was he.

I don’t want him to be identified. i care not for him, except the mantle his words lay on my soul.

But the piece of pottery with his likeness found in Shoreditch at the theatre’s excavation.

That’s my Will! Paying it through with souvenirs on Ale pots, placed and pandered to, among and for those there at that moment in time

Can you hear the cries ringing out in Shoreditch? Get your Ale and Collect your favourite Actor’s Mug!
Sell like ‘otcakes, shouldn’t wonder. It’s Art innit!