Of various portraits identified with Shakespeare, only the Chandos portrait (above) is believed painted from life.

The so-called Flower portrait, once thought to have been done in Shakespeare's lifetime, was actually painted in the 19th century.

Courtesy the Director and University Librarian, The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester.

An inscription identifies the subject of the Grafton portrait as the same age as Shakespeare -- but the likeness is suspect.

© All Rights Reserved, Canadian Conservation Institute, Courtesy of the Minister of Public Works and Government Service, 2005

The sitter in the Sanders portrait appears too young to be the 39-year-old writer.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon

The posthumous Soest portrait is based in part on the Chandos.

Folger Shakespeare Library

In 1988, the Janssen portrait was found to have been altered, before 1770, to create a more "Shakespearean" hairline.

Folger Shakespeare Library

The c. 1610 work, now restored (above), may depict author Sir Thomas Overbury.

Folger Shakespeare Library

The c. 1610 work, now restored (above), may depict author Sir Thomas Overbury.