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In 1611 Emilia Bassano became the first woman in England to professionally publish a volume of poetry. The V&A collection holds a possible portrait of her, a miniature by Nicholas Hilliard, leading artist at the Elizabethan court. But what was the poet’s connection to the court’s most celebrated playwright, William Shakespeare?
In her latest novel, By Any Other Name, multi-award-winning, best-selling author Jodi Picoult imagines the life of Bassano in a tale of two playwrights - Bassano in the 16th century and distant relative Melina Green 500 years later. Join Picoult for a discussion of this sweeping story of talent and courage, her inspiration and approach, including research done here at the V&A.
