Up Close: The Plimpton “Sieve” portrait of Queen Elizabeth I
Get an up-close look at the painting and learn more about it by clicking through the arrows to see captions that zoom in on different parts of the image. Click the eye icon to hide or display the text.
Elizabeth I and the Qing Empress Xiaozhuang
Like Elizabeth, Xiaozhuang was a woman with intellectual and political interests, attaining the powerful position of Empress Dowager in Qing China.
Studying early modern women—in Shakespeare's plays and in his time
By Esther Ferington The roles of early modern women in Shakespeare’s time—both the fictional characters in his plays and the real-life women of his era—have been central to many projects created by Georgianna Ziegler, Louis B. Thalheimer Associate Librarian and…
VIP visitors and rare works: Salman Rushdie, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and more
Georgianna Ziegler. Photo by Chris Hartlove. By Esther Ferington A vital role that the Folger Shakespeare Library plays is to bring people together with materials from Shakespeare’s world, whether through exhibitions, digital content, or special tours. As you’ll see, some…
How Queen Elizabeth I spent her summer vacation
Part political theater, part theme park extravaganza, the summertime progresses of Queen Elizabeth I helped shape her image and ensure her legacy.
Happy Holidays from Elizabethan England
Some people believe that the Renaissance image of “Merry England,” a land of festivity and mirth, was a myth created during the Stuart reign by people nostalgic for the good old days before the Puritans put the kibosh on fun.…
Off the Shelf: Shakespeare and World Cinema, Oxford Illustrated Shakespeare Dictionary, and more
Looking for a new addition to your bookshelf? Here’s a survey of some recently published books about Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, and the early modern age. Pop Sonnets: Shakespeare Spins on Your Favorite Songs by Erik Didriksen “Alas! I once…