[CarrotAndStick]

...via Google Image Search.

[camle]

so the assumption is that he owned the clothes and that they are not theater props?

and that's the sole basis for determining that this isn't him?

or is the left trying to destroy another western icon?

[Redbob]

Oh, yeah, looking at that picture I can just tell he had "an incredible emotional range."
</sarcasm>

[starfish923]

You mean there were scam artists involved?

Shocking!

[Khepera]

Shakespeare would have been able to afford a costume of this type

I think they are confusing painting with photography. I'm sure the painter could paint whatever clothes he wanted to.

[KarlInOhio]

However, experts say Shakespeare was about to join a travelling theatre group after fathering twins, and was unlikely to have been able to afford the clothes depicted.

Pretty weak argument. Even if he couldn't afford it, the artist still could have painted it there instead of a grubby shirt.

[EggsAckley]

I don't think I'll ever understand this obsession with Shakespeare. Don't they have anything better to do?

[GraniteStateConservative]

My favorite pic of the bard...

[weegee]

His face looks a bit spotty for a 24-year old. Problem acne?