Rare Shakespeare portrait starts tour in Sheffield

The Shakespeare treasure is usually housed in the National Portrait Gallery and it has never been displayed in the UK outside London before.

But the painting is going on the move in order to become the star attraction in an exhibition of portraits of famous and influential writers over the centuries.

The instantly-recognisable Shakespeare painting was the gallery's first acquisition in 1856 and is considered to be the only representation of the writer that has any claim to have been painted from life.

The "Chandos" portrait is attributed to the artist John Taylor and is named after a previous owner.

The painting will be included in the major and wide-ranging exhibition of 61 writers' portraits throughout the ages in painting and photograph form.

It includes depictions of Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde.

The exhibition is titled Writers of Influence: Shakespeare to JK Rowling. Opening in Sheffield in April, it will travel to Southampton, Plymouth and Sunderland.

The exhibition will visit the Museums Sheffield: Graves Gallery from April 17.

Nick Dodd, chief executive of Museums Sheffield, said: "We are delighted that our relationship with the National Portrait Gallery and the enthusiasm of Sheffield's young people has bought the Chandos portrait to the city."