Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). <em>Elizabeth R. Place Setting</em>, 1974–1979. Runner: Silk satin, cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, pearls, satin fabric, colored silk thread
Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), rainbow luster glaze, silk chiffon covered plastic ring, linen, dyed lace, gold wrapped cord, thread, and pearls, Runner:52 1/2 x 30 1/4 in. (133.4 x 76.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-24. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-24_plate_PS9.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Elizabeth R. Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Silk satin, cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, pearls, satin fabric, colored silk thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), rainbow luster glaze, silk chiffon covered plastic ring, linen, dyed lace, gold wrapped cord, thread, and pearls, Runner:52 1/2 x 30 1/4 in. (133.4 x 76.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-24. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-24_plate_PS9.jpg)

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Who's this?

Queen Elizabeth I, or Elizabeth R, was a member of the Tudor family, and daughter of Henry VIII. She ruled over a period of English history often referred to as “The Golden Age.” The style of embroidery under her plate is in a style popular during the English Renaissance.

Elizabeth R? Regina? As in Queen Elizabeth the II?

Queen Elizabeth I actually! You got the "Regina" part right! Judy Chicago chose to label her setting this way because that's how the Queen signed documents.

Aah!

I know Chicago says the embroidery style reflects the woman’s epoch but I wonder if there is more in depth info available about the different styles of embroidery and reasons behind different materials which the runners are made from?

As you've said, the different techniques relate to the different time periods and women represented. In Elizabeth I's runner, satin and embroidered floral patterns stitched in blackwork are based on paintings that show the queen in gowns decorated in this way. If you want to go really in depth, check out Chicago’s book "Embroidering Our Heritage: The Dinner Party Needlework.” Published in 1980, it details the technique used for each place setting, showing how important this aspect of the work is.

So I'm looking at this plate for Elizabeth at The Dinner Party and I'm noticing that hers is the only one that has a kind of Halo or placeholder that looks kind of like a crown? And no one else really has that directly underneath their plate. Was there any particular reason that Elizabeth R does?

The name of the runner reflects how Queen Elizabeth I referred to herself as Elizabeth R. Her name is even embroidered in the Queen's own penmanship!

That pattern around the plate is meant to evoke a ruff --- the high, stiff collars she wore with her gowns, but your interpretation of it as a crown is also appropriate.

The deep blues, purples and reds of this place setting recall the colors typically used in portraits of Elizabeth I.

What is Elizabeth R's official last name?

This Elizabeth R is better known as Queen Elizabeth I, but Elizabeth R is how she referred to herself. She belonged to the House of Tudor which you could interpret as her last name.

Who is "Elizabeth R" and how is this pattern significant to her?

At The Dinner Party, Elizabeth R is Queen Elizabeth I of England. The artist, Judy Chicago, chose to refer to her this way because that is how the queen signed documents and referred to herself.

The designs used in the place setting are inspired by portraits of Elizabeth created during her lifetime. The lace beneath the plate specifically refers to the wide ruffs that were popular at the time.

Thank you!

Elizabeth R. Place Setting

Judy Chicago

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

On View: Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

ARTIST Judy Chicago, American, born 1939

MEDIUM Runner: Silk satin, cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, pearls, satin fabric, colored silk thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), rainbow luster glaze, silk chiffon covered plastic ring, linen, dyed lace, gold wrapped cord, thread, and pearls

DATES 1974–1979

DIMENSIONS Runner:52 1/2 x 30 1/4 in. (133.4 x 76.8 cm) Plate:14 x 14 x 1 in. (35.6 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.10-PS-24

CREDIT LINE Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

CAPTION Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Elizabeth R. Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Silk satin, cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, pearls, satin fabric, colored silk thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), rainbow luster glaze, silk chiffon covered plastic ring, linen, dyed lace, gold wrapped cord, thread, and pearls, Runner:52 1/2 x 30 1/4 in. (133.4 x 76.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-24. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-24_plate_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2002.10-PS-24_plate_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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RIGHTS STATEMENT © Judy Chicago

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