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Laying The Smacketh Down On Cobbe
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421142316.htm
Heavy on the science geekery, this article looks at strict comparative analysis of all known (and considered) portraits of Shakespaere, most notably the Cobbe, Janssen and Droeshout. Includes a pretty cool montage of Droeshout and Cobbe.
Their conclusion, and I have to admit I have not fully understood the details of how they arrived at it, is
…that this clearly indicates once again that, only pending further research into its early history, can the Janssen portrait be admitted to the select company of genuine Shakespeare portraits; and that it cannot in all possibility be a copy of the Cobbe portrait. On the contrary, Janssen may have served as the model for the Cobbe.
4 comments:
The Sanders Portrait is the only painting that actually identifies to the bard. See the below links.
No speculation, as in the Cobbe, just pure scientific research and verification with every test conceivable.
http://timelesswill.blogspot.com/
http://web.mac.com/jimhs/iWeb/Willy/Welcome.html
If only they knew!
DROESHOUT is a two word name and is Dutch for.....
if you twig that then try my blog for a brand new angle on Shakespeare.
PASS THE WORD
You don't need a lot of science, though, do you? The Cobbe thingy is just a nice painting of some guy in a ruff. You can't throw a rock over there without hitting a painting like that. Why would we believe that it's a painting of Shakespeare in the first place?
The painting itself certainly doesn't claim to be a portrait of Shakespeare. No one thought or claimed it was for centuries. Couple that with the facts that the Folio engraving and the memorial bust are the most authoritative images of Shakespeare we have (not perfect or unimpeachable, just the best we have), and they look nothing like this portrait of whoever, and...remind me why this is even in the News? I think I saw Shakespeare in my oatmeal this morning. Can I get some press coverage for that?
"Professor Stanley Wells, Chairman of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and one of the world’s leading experts on Shakespearean studies, today announced the discovery of a portrait of William Shakespeare, which he believes is almost certainly the only authentic image of Shakespeare made from life."
That's why it is news. Not saying Professor Wells is the final word in such matters, just that I expect his name and associations carry enough weight to merit some press.
That, and the world at large certainly don't know enough about the details of the issue to care too much beyond "Oh, a new portrait of Shakespeare? Ok."
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