London: A priceless portrait of the world famous writer William Shakespeare is up for sale. It is believed to have been painted by Shakespeare during his lifetime. The film is expected to gross around Rs 96 crore (£10 million). The portrait, currently on display at the Grosvenor House Hotel in west London, is dated and signed by Shakespeare.
This picture was painted in 1608 by an artist named Robert Peake who lived in the reign of King James I. Before 1975 the picture was kept in a library in north London and was later acquired by a private individual. At the same time, the current owner, who has not been named, wants to sell the painting by private treaty instead of auction.
At the same time, only two images believed to be Shakespeare’s have been accepted as valid so far. Both of them were published after his death. One is a painting believed to be the basis for the portrait engraved on the front page of his book ‘First Folio’ published in 1963.
It is known as the Chandos portrait. The painting, painted between 1600 and 1610, is housed in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Another is the statue on his monument in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52.