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LONDON — As a playwright his stature is unquestioned. As a symbol of England he is widely celebrated, and his role in literature is hailed around the world.

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But one issue still troubles historians and academics — what did William Shakespeare really look like?

While hundreds of portraits of the writer have been produced since his death 400 years ago, only two or three are generally accepted to be an actual likeness, with a handful more said to come close. One of the most famous, the Flower Portrait, was revealed in 2005 to be a 19th-century forgery.

But now a new painting of Shakespeare is claimed to be the most accurate representation of the Bard.

The 112-by-91-centimetre portrait will be hung in Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall for festivities marking Shakespeare’s death, after which it will be sold, with 400 limited edition prints. Copies will also appear on 15,000 masks given to revellers for the anniversary in Stratford on April 23.

Professional illustrator Geoffrey Tristram believes he has produced the most authentic likeness yet after studying images such as woodcuts, statues and paintings.

The domed forehead is there, as are the Elizabethan cuffs and collar plus trademark goatee and moustache.