Barkingmad TV’s latest production, “The Stuff of Dreams”, will be available for streaming on Netflix UK starting March 21st. The 57-minute documentary, produced and directed by Madoc Roberts, follows the journey of window cleaner Steven Wadlow as he fights against the art establishment for twelve years to prove the authenticity of a portrait he believes to be of William Shakespeare. The film has already garnered attention for its intriguing premise and extensive research.
Wadlow’s fascination with the portrait began eleven years ago, when he first discovered it while cleaning windows. The painting, which had been hanging above a television for forty years, caught his attention with its depiction of a 31-year-old Shakespeare with hair and no beard. Wadlow was convinced that this was the only portrait painted during Shakespeare’s lifetime and was determined to prove its value, which experts have estimated to be between 100 and 200 million pounds.
However, Wadlow’s journey was not an easy one. He faced constant skepticism and rejection from the art establishment, who refused to accept a portrait of Shakespeare without a beard. But Wadlow persisted, subjecting the painting to extensive scientific analysis at renowned art institutions such as the Hamilton Kerr Institute and UCL. The results were astonishing, as cutting-edge technology revealed underdrawings and overpainting that had been added to disguise the true identity of the sitter. Each test only solidified Wadlow’s belief in the painting’s authenticity.
The painting, which was purchased by Wadlow’s father for £900 in the 1960s, has a fascinating history. The Great Tew estate, where it was bought, is now known for its celebrity residents such as the Beckhams, Claudia Winkleman, and Prince Harry. Wadlow’s research has also revealed that the estate was once home to a missing portrait of Shakespeare, which experts believe was used as a model for the earliest engraving of the bard.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Wadlow’s persistence paid off when he received a call from Lumiere technology of Paris. The company, known for handling some of the world’s greatest artworks, including the Mona Lisa, revealed a previously undiscovered earlier version of the famous smile using their multispectral technique. Lumiere’s analysis led to a startling conclusion – Wadlow’s portrait depicts Shakespeare as an actor, possibly playing a role in one of his own plays.
For Wadlow, this was a pivotal moment in his journey. The experts at Lumiere confirmed that the conformity of the mouth in the portrait was an exact match to the famous engraving. This revelation only solidified Wadlow’s belief in the painting’s authenticity, and he was overwhelmed with emotion. “After all these years and all the doubts, is it Shakespeare? Isn’t it Shakespeare? And then today we have the company that discovered the under drawings on the Mona Lisa, saying that our painting is Shakespeare. You just can’t get better than that,” he said.
“The Stuff of Dreams” is a testament to Wadlow’s determination and patience, and his unwavering belief in the authenticity of the portrait. The film offers a fascinating look into the world of art authentication and the lengths one man went to prove the value of a painting he found while cleaning windows.
For interviews with Steven Wadlow or for clips and stills from the film, please contact Producer/Director Madoc Roberts at madoc@barkingmad.tv or 07715947801. “The Stuff of Dreams” can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/1066946604/d4d50c002b. For more information and updates, please visit https://pressat.co.uk/.
