Experts say it is the only portrait of William Shakespeare painted during his lifetime — in effect, the sole source of our knowledge of what the great man looked like. But they can’t be certain.

Conservator Adrian Phippen (left) and Art and Antiques writer Duncan Phillipps with portrait of William Shakespeare Credit: PA They say Peake was regularly commissioned to paint the portraits of ...

For centuries, the commonly accepted illustration of William Shakespeare has been one of a balding, stern and rather lifeless subject, based on a black-and-white woodcut by Martin Droeshout and a ...

For a window cleaner believes his family could own the only picture of William Shakespeare painted during his lifetime. And, if authenticated, it could be worth up to £200million.