Shakespeare portrait to join exhibition on long tour of England

A world-famous portrait of William Shakespeare will sit alongside pictures of Dizzee Rascal, Amy Winehouse and Sex Pistol John Lydon when it embarks on a year-long tour of England.

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 iconic work shows the bearded poet and playwright wearing a lace collar and earring.

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, Oscar Wilde, George Orwell, Enid Blyton, Lewis Carroll, Virginia Woolf, Agatha Christie, John Lennon, JK Rowling, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, punk pioneer Lydon aka Johnny Rotten, David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker, Morrissey, Winehouse and recent Brit Award winner Dizzee Rascal.

The exhibition is titled Writers of Influence: Shakespeare to JK Rowling.

Opening in Sheffield in April, it will travel to Southampton, Plymouth and Sunderland.

Sandy Nairne, director of the National Portrait Gallery in London, said: "The Chandos portrait is an iconic image and the founding painting of the National Portrait Gallery collection.

"So this is an exciting opportunity for it to be shared with everyone around Britain.

"I am grateful for our partners and funders who are making this possible."

The exhibition will visit the Museums Sheffield: Graves Gallery from April 17, Southampton City Art Gallery from July 23, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery from October 16 and Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens from January 29 2011.

Nick Dodd, chief executive officer 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.