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Preview | Picturing Shakespeare

Season 23 Episode 2 | 32s

There are only two accepted representations of William Shakespeare that are considered “official” – but could a portrait that has been hanging over a family’s mantelpiece for the last 50 years be the third? British window washer Steven Wadlow, whose father bought the portrait in the 1960s, is on the hunt to prove the painting is indeed genuine. If so, it could be worth as much as $200 million.

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Extras
The chance discovery of a jade artifact unearths an ancient Chinese city.
See how secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots, were finally decoded.
An unprecedented discovery could reveal new information about Cleopatra’s reign.
The first gladiator bones ever found reveal a small but unmistakable detail about how they lived.
The spectacular arena showcasing Ancient Rome’s power also contributed to its downfall.
Ancient Rome’s retiarius vs secutor: inside the colosseum’s most popular fight.
Scientists study medieval bubonic plague victims in hopes of preventing future outbreaks.
Catch new episodes of Secrets of the Dead on Wednesdays starting October 8 at 10/9c.
Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the post-war life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
With the explosion of American museums in the 1950s, provenance took a backseat.
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