English literature holds a unique place in world culture. In the 16th century, poetic forms from Italy and France found their way to England. Thomas Wyatt introduced the sonnet, and William Shakespeare mastered both the sonnet and blank verse, crafting plays and poems that brought unforgettable characters to life.

The 18th century saw the rise of the novel, with Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe standing as an early landmark in English fiction.

John Keats

George Gordon Byron

The 19th century ushered in the Romantic poets George Gordon Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats, whose emotional power and imagination had a lasting influence on English literature. Meanwhile, Jane Austen took the novel to new heights with works such as Pride and Prejudice. Charles Dickens offered vivid portraits of London life, while Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes, a literary icon known around the world.

Jane Austen

Charles Dickens

In the 20th century, women writers came increasingly to the fore. A rich tradition of female voices emerged, with Virginia Woolf pioneering stream of consciousness in novels such as Mrs Dalloway. In more recent decades, J.K. Rowling created a magical universe that has captivated readers worldwide, adding a new chapter to the evolving story of English literature.

J.K. Rowling

The exhibition is organized into five sections, offering multiple perspectives on writers' lives, creative paths, and cultural influence. By displaying portraits alongside manuscripts and rare editions, it provides visitors with a more intimate encounter with the people behind the works.

Among the highlights are portraits of Shakespeare and Jane Austen, both considered the only surviving likenesses created during their lifetimes. The exhibition also showcases materials related to the Bronte sisters, Virginia Woolf, Agatha Christie, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, E.M. Forster, Samuel Beckett, and J.K. Rowling, among many others.

The Bronte sisters

Visitors are invited to see familiar writers in a new light. In a semi-abstract portrait of T.S. Eliot, an arched-back cat appears on the poet's shoulder. Shown alongside a first edition of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the portrait hints at a playful side to the author of The Waste Land.

Another standout is the story of Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes. Manuscripts, illustrations, and related works demonstrate how the fictional detective became so iconic that he helped shape the author's own literary career.