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living on the SUN
Jul. 5th, 2003 11:11 pmI did it! I dragged out of bed and got down to the Elizabeth I exhibit (linking for the umpteenth time).
It was a small but good exhibit, mostly letters and books (it's the Shakespeare Library, after all). Elizabeth I had beautiful but extremely tiny handwriting!
I was most interested in the books. These were beautifully bound, with gilded inner leaves and worked leather. The most impressive was the large, red-velvet bound Bible from EI's private chapel - about 14"x12" and 4 inches thick, with stamps of the Tudor rose and silver clasps to hold it shut. There is something to be said for the human touch - mass-market bookbinding doesn't begin to approach this kind of craftsmanship.
Costume note: there was a reproduction of the dress worn in Gower's Armada Portrait but it wasn't as well displayed as it could have been - it wasn't on a mannequin so it wasn't supported correctly so you could see how the skirts draped, etc. But, this isn't what the Folger specializes in, so I'll give them a pass.
Still.. I could do better, I just know I could, if I had the time/materials. I mean, the ruff looked like it was made of nylon..... You know you're getting full of yourself when you think you can top professional costumers!
Other stuff - it was VERY hot today, and the air quality was so poor that I could see the blue haziness even at 11 am. After walking to and from the Metro and then going out to the grocery store, it was such a sweet relief to shower and take a nap. There's just something about making a sweaty mess out of yourself and then cleaning up that is sublimely relaxing!
It is good I napped, as I'm running a low grade fever and my "allergies" have still not gone away. D. has a scratchy throat, which always worries me given his problems in the past with catching swift and virulent strep. We have orange juice and vitamins (and decongestants), we'll live but I'm going to encourage D. to take it easy tomorrow.
It was a small but good exhibit, mostly letters and books (it's the Shakespeare Library, after all). Elizabeth I had beautiful but extremely tiny handwriting!
I was most interested in the books. These were beautifully bound, with gilded inner leaves and worked leather. The most impressive was the large, red-velvet bound Bible from EI's private chapel - about 14"x12" and 4 inches thick, with stamps of the Tudor rose and silver clasps to hold it shut. There is something to be said for the human touch - mass-market bookbinding doesn't begin to approach this kind of craftsmanship.
Costume note: there was a reproduction of the dress worn in Gower's Armada Portrait but it wasn't as well displayed as it could have been - it wasn't on a mannequin so it wasn't supported correctly so you could see how the skirts draped, etc. But, this isn't what the Folger specializes in, so I'll give them a pass.
Still.. I could do better, I just know I could, if I had the time/materials. I mean, the ruff looked like it was made of nylon..... You know you're getting full of yourself when you think you can top professional costumers!
Other stuff - it was VERY hot today, and the air quality was so poor that I could see the blue haziness even at 11 am. After walking to and from the Metro and then going out to the grocery store, it was such a sweet relief to shower and take a nap. There's just something about making a sweaty mess out of yourself and then cleaning up that is sublimely relaxing!
It is good I napped, as I'm running a low grade fever and my "allergies" have still not gone away. D. has a scratchy throat, which always worries me given his problems in the past with catching swift and virulent strep. We have orange juice and vitamins (and decongestants), we'll live but I'm going to encourage D. to take it easy tomorrow.
