‘Gloriana’s Glass’: Elizabethan gardens & the art of courtship

Ready to take your next journey of Discovery? The Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery at BRLSI is a yearlong programme of talks and events exploring the many joys, revelations and something of the broader cultural legacy of a movement still making waves in the 21st century.  Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Martin Luther, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Machiavelli, Hieronymus Bosch, if you love culture then you’ll love our new talks series!

But what did the Renaissance do for gardening? The reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) saw gardening elevated from a neglected craft activity to a respected artform. Key figures such as Robert Dudley and William Cecil used their gardens to attempt to find courtly favour with the Queen, employing techniques ranging from architectural features to planting schemes.

This talk will provide a new perspective on a well-known era, a world of mysterious emblems, dangerous sexuality, elaborate pageants and extreme flattery.

Niamh Smith is an art historian and heritage professional, specialising in the early modern period. She has degrees from the University of Oxford and University of London. Her research interests include Northern Renaissance art, British and European royal portraiture and early modern garden history.

To learn more about the Renaissance and our exciting year long programme, don’t forget to follow our Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery webpage:

https://www.brlsi.org/renaissance/