The “somerville” or “hilliard miniature” portrait of william shakespeare, belonging to lord and lady northcote, is claimed to have descended from shakespeare's friend, somerville of edstone, grandfather of the poet william somerville. It was first publicly spoken of in 1818 when it was in the possession of sir james bland burges. It is certainly by hilliard, but although sir thomas lawrence and many distinguished painters and others agreed that it was an original life-portrait of the poet, few will be disposed to give adherence to the theory, in view of its complete departure from other portraits. Date: 17th century?.
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