The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania
The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania c1849 by Scottish Painter Joseph Noel Paton (1821 – 1901); as well as an illustrator, sculptor and poet, known for his historical, religious and allegorical artwork as well as his knowledge of Scottish folklore and Celtic legends.
This mythological painting is an interpretation of an event that takes place in the play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare; in which King Oberon and Queen Titania of the fairies, quarrel over the possession of a changeling; which is a fairy child that has been substituted for a human child that has been carried off to the fairy realm.
The scene takes place in an enchanted forest filled with all manner of fairies and magical creatures as well as snails, insects, lizards, frogs, butterflies, owls; that are engaging in all sorts of mischief and fun, while the young child holds onto the right thigh of Queen Titania.
In the distant background on the right we can see many fairies dancing and enjoying themselves and throughout the painting there elves and fairies kissing and playing with each other on the ground in the air as well as in the water.
This is a retouched digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image that is available online as a rolled print.