Not Just the Tudors Shakespeare's Male Muse: A Mystery Solved?
Sep 11, 2025
Dr. Elizabeth Goldring, a Renaissance scholar, and Emma Rutherford, an expert on portrait miniatures, dive into a newly discovered painting that may unveil secrets of Shakespeare's intimate poetry. They explore the androgynous figure possibly representing Henry Wriothesley, Shakespeare's patron, suggesting a deeper connection to his sonnets. The discussion highlights gender roles in Elizabethan art and literature, unraveling themes of love and identity while challenging traditional perceptions of Shakespeare’s relationships and muse.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Found In A Clear-Out
- Dr Elizabeth Goldring received an unexpected email from someone who'd found the miniature during a clear-out and sent a photo.
- She involved Emma Rutherford and began a year-long research journey that led to the discovery.
Hilliard's Technical Fingerprint
- Emma Rutherford and conservator Alan Derbyshire confirmed Hilliard's authorship through technique and microscope analysis.
- Signature features include Hilliard's wet-on-wet velvet background and three-dimensional lacework.
An Androgynous, Intimate Portrait
- The miniature depicts an androgynous, auburn-haired youth making an erotic hair‑caressing gesture, intended as a private love token.
- Its gender ambiguity and intimacy make it unlike most Elizabethan miniatures.
