Island as Muse
William Shakespeare may have been the first to take Cuttyhunk as muse. Shakespeare and Bartholomew Gosnold shared the same patron, the Earl of Southampton; following Gosnold’s discovery of Cuttyhunk in 1602, Shakespeare likely heard tales at the Earl’s court of this tempestuous and fog-enshrouded isle. The Tempest, Shakespeare’s last play, followed shortly after. Therein lies the legend which persists to this day - that Cuttyhunk is The Tempest setting.
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Two centuries later, in 1858, Albert Bierstadt took Cuttyhunk as his muse in the dreamlike painting Bartholomew Gosnold at Cuttyhunk.
Since then, writers, poets and artists have made Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands their muse.
AVAILABLE NOW!
This softcover 8x8 photo book captures the exhibition, Island as Muse, in colorful detail. Containing over 100 pages of information on artists and local history, this narrative of island inspiration is a special way to remember your visit to Cuttyhunk.
Grab your copy at the museum gift shop!
