Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era

Fourteen paintings from the original Boydell Shakespeare Gallery, unseen together since 1805, have arrived at the Folger. Created by some of the most prominent English artists of the 18th century, these works capture pivotal moments from Shakespeare’s plays, but their significance extends beyond theatrical drama. The exhibition delves into how Shakespeare’s image was shaped and wielded as a tool of British imperial ambition and economic influence, prompting visitors to reconsider the playwright’s place in cultural history. Each canvas reveals not only a scene from the stage but also the layers of mythmaking that have surrounded the Bard for centuries. The gallery’s Regency-era grandeur is palpable, yet the show’s real intrigue lies in its invitation to question the stories we inherit about Shakespeare and the forces that have shaped his enduring legacy.