“A plague o’ both your houses! They have made worms’ meat of me.”
—Mercutio, cursing the violent rivalry between the Capulets and Montagues which led to his death.
From the Collection
Glow-in-the-dark designs for Jean Cocteau’s Romeo and Juliet
This commemorative volume features designs for director Jean Cocteau’s 1924 production of Romeo and Juliet, which premiered in Paris.
PR2796.F6 R1 1926 Sh.Col
Listen to Janet Griffin, the Folger’s Director of Public Programs and Artistic Producer, discuss the volume.
Plaque featuring David Garrick as Romeo
This plaque, produced around 1765, surrounds the celebrated English actor David Garrick as Romeo and George Anne Bellamy as Juliet with gilt-metal edging.
ART 241283
Learn more about Garrick’s career on Folgerpedia.
Advertisement for Theda Bara as Juliet
This booklet advertises William Fox’s filmed production of Romeo and Juliet starring silent film icon Theda Bara as Juliet. Fox’s version was in direct competition with rival studio Metro’s version, released the same week in November 1916.
ART Vol. e275
Learn more about early 20th-century Shakespeare film on the Folger’s Collation blog.
James Northcote’s painting of Romeo and Juliet
Northcote’s 1790 painting depicts Juliet on the cusp of discovering Romeo’s death. The roughly 8-by-10 foot painting is one of the largest items in the Folger collection, and hangs in the Paster Reading Room.
ART 265225
Watch Senior Cataloger Erin Blake discuss the painting.
Image of Charlotte and Susan Cushman as Romeo and Juliet
This commemorative porcelain of sisters Charlotte Cushman as Romeo and Susan Cushman as Juliet was produced around 1852.
ART Inv. 1095 (realia)
Learn more about Charlotte Cushman’s career on the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast.
Title: Parr, Thomas. [Charlotte and Susan Cushman as Romeo and Juliet]
Creator: Parr, Thomas
Date Created: [ca. 1852]
Folger Reference ID: ART Inv. 1095 (realia)
We will continue adding more to this page over time. Stay tuned!