Lost portrait of Shakespeare's "lover" discovered after 400 years

The miniature portrait of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton has been discovered in a private collection. The miniature portrait of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton has been discovered in a private collection. A LOST portrait of Shakespeare’s patron – and possible lover – has been uncovered after more than 400 years. A previously unknown miniature portrait of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton has been discovered in a private collection. The painting has now been confirmed as a work by Hilliard (c.1547-1619), Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite portraitist, with the subject identified as Henry Wriothesley (1573-1624).