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From The Times
April 30, 2008

Shakespeare 'patron' shows his face

Students researching for a display of Tudor portraits have uncovered a

London A “ghost figure” that could be Shakespeare's only known patron has been uncovered by students preparing a display of Tudor portraits. The figure may be Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton and Shakespeare's “man of the sonnets”.

It was painted over with an image of his wife, Elizabeth Vernon, a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth I. The secret picture, from the National Portrait Gallery's collection was found when it was X-rayed by University of Bristol students before going on display today as part of an exhibition at Montacute House, Somerset.

A favourite of Elizabeth I, Wriothesley (1573-1624) was the only known patron of Shakespeare, who dedicated his poem Venus and Adonis to him. His tempestuous relationship with the Queen culminated in his involvement in a rebellion in 1601.

Condemned to death when the rebellion failed, his punishment was commuted to life imprisonment and he was released by James I.

Wriothesley was known at court for his flamboyant appearance, particularly his long auburn hair.

This is a wonderful counterpart to the portrait of the young earl discovered by Anthony Holden in 2002. Did the Bard live to test for himself if "Eternal love in loves fresh case/Weighs not the dust and injury of age..."? (Sonnet 109)

Kevin Straw, Leicester,

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