Antique Oil Painting Midsummer Nights Dream 19th Century Sir Joseph Noel Paton Shakespeare

This large antique oil painting is known as the reconciliation of Oberon and Titania of midsummer nights dream from the play by William Shakespeare and a number of these large originals were painted by Sir Joseph Noel Paton 1821 to 1901

Possible Artist: Sir Joseph Noel Paton (1821 - 1901) Scottish

Title: The Reconciliation of Oberon and Titania

This fine and extremely large as well as being very impressive 19th century antique oil painting on canvas was painted either by Sir Joseph Noel Paton, or by his very close circle, or even by an apprentice, especially as this painting was clearly at one time on display in Joseph Noels brothers own art gallery and showroom, as described on his gallery label on the back stretcher. Please see the image of the gallery label.

Paton was a highly successful artist who specialised in painting detailed compositions illustrating biblical episodes and imaginative stories based on romantic myths and legends. His interest in achieving convincing naturalistic detail was inspired by his friend John Everett Millais, the Pre-Raphaelite painter, whom he met while both were students at the Royal Academy Schools in London. Paton born in Dunfermline, returned to Scotland and was appointed 'the Queen's Limner in Scotland' in 1866. His most famous paintings are of fairy subjects which enjoyed great popularity during Victoria's reign.

THIS PAINTING WAS EXECUTED MORE THAN ONCE BY THE ARTIST SIR JOSEPH NOEL PATON FOR GALLERIES AND IN PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL FINISHED PAINTING FOR THE EXHIBITION

Oberon and Titania stand reunited and are about to resolve the magically induced confusion between the two human lovers shown sleeping apart. Paton painted this as a sequel to his diploma picture of the fairy rulers' quarrel (in the Royal Scottish Academy collection) and again based it on the parallel episode in Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. This painting of the reconciliation won a prize in the competition for the decoration of the new Houses of Parliament in 1847. It could be interpreted as an allegory of harmonious government. In 1849 Paton painted a second version of ‘The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania’ which is also in the National Galleries of Scotland collection.

Dimensions of the antique canvas:

Width of canvas : approximately 125cm

Height of canvas approximately 79cm

One of the originals currently on display in the museum gallery is

Measurements: 76.20 x 122.60 cm, so also very similar in size.

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