The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.1845  Wednesday, 9 November 2005

From: 		Tom Rutter <
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Date: 		Tuesday, 8 Nov 2005 20:42:45 -0000
Subject: 16.1836 Grafton Portrait
Comment: 	Re: SHK 16.1836 Grafton Portrait

 >"At the age of 24, Shakespeare would have been unable to afford the
 >sumptuous silk and satin jacket worn by the man, having recently become
 >a father to twins and possibly joining a travelling theatre troupe."

Coincidentally, in his 24th year another playwright does seem to have 
been able to afford a portrait of himself. Marston's "Antonio and 
Mellida" (1599), V.i, uses as a prop a painting inscribed "Aetatis suae 
24" which has been taken as a portrait of the dramatist. Perhaps he was 
feeling flush after inheriting a legacy from his lawyer father.

Tom

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