From Stage to Page: 400 Years of Shakespeare in Print

Shakespeare at Frick header

Printed in 1623, "Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies" was the earliest comprehensive gathering of Shakespeare’s plays in print. This exhibit tells the story of the First Folio’s origins in the bookstalls of seventeenth-century London and considers the histories of three later, lesser-known folios published in 1632, 1663, and 1685. The exhibition presents a rare opportunity to see all four folios in one room, offering an extraordinary look at Shakespeare’s enduring legacy.

A 360 Virtual Tour allows remote visitors to take a self-guided tour.

Duration April 1, 2023 10:00 - March 10, 2024 17:00
Duration April 1, 2023 - March 10, 2024
Location Frick Art Museum
Curators Samuel Lemley & Dawn Brean
Art Director Heidi Wiren Kebe
Exhibition Guide Spring 2023 Boundless
Luca Lemley, son of Special Collections Curator Sam Lemley, at the opening reception.
Luca Lemley, son of Special Collections Curator Sam Lemley, at the opening reception.

"From Stage to Page" exhibit banner in the Frick Art Museum rotunda.
"From Stage to Page" exhibit banner in the Frick Art Museum rotunda.
Constituting one of the country’s best collections of Shakespeare Folios, Special Collections holds seven copies: one copy of the First Folio and two copies of the Second, Third, and Fourth.
Constituting one of the country’s best collections of Shakespeare Folios, Special Collections holds seven copies: one copy of the First Folio and two copies of the Second, Third, and Fourth.

Carnegie Mellon University's First Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's First Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's Second Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's Second Folio on display.

Carnegie Mellon University's Third Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's Third Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's Fourth Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's Fourth Folio on display.
Dr. Lizzie Barker, Executive Director of The Frick Pittsburgh; Dawn Brean, Chief Curator and Director of Collections, The Frick Pittsburgh; Dr. Sam Lemley, Curator of Special Collections, University Libraries; Keith Webster, Helen & Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries.
Dr. Lizzie Barker, Executive Director of The Frick Pittsburgh; Dawn Brean, Chief Curator and Director of Collections, The Frick Pittsburgh; Dr. Sam Lemley, Curator of Special Collections, University Libraries; Keith Webster, Helen & Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries.

Carnegie Mellon University's second copy of the Fourth Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's second copy of the Fourth Folio on display.
Curator Sam Lemley, experiencing the Shakespeare-VR project.
Curator Sam Lemley, experiencing the  Shakespeare-VR project.

The exhibition presents a rare opportunity to see all four folios in one room.
The exhibition presents a rare opportunity to see all four folios in one room.
Visitors explore "From Stage to Page."
Visitors explore "From Stage to Page."

Carnegie Mellon University's second copy of the Second Folio on display.
Carnegie Mellon University's second copy of the Second Folio on display.
These books are from the library at Clayton, the historic house museum on The Frick Pittsburgh’s campus.
These books are from the library at Clayton, the historic house museum on The Frick Pittsburgh’s campus.

External banners on the façade of the Frick Art Museum.
External banners on the façade of the Frick Art Museum.
Detail of an external banner on the façade of the Frick Art Museum.
Detail of an external banner on the façade of the Frick Art Museum.

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