1 week Ago By [email protected] (Nick Forbes)
An intriguing sketch of Queen Victoria grieving alongside her family following Prince Albert's passing is a highlight among the works of Scottish artist Joseph Noel Paton, which will be shown part of an upcoming exhibit in his hometown of Dunfermline, Fife. Entitled 'Joseph Noel Paton: An Artist's Life', the exhibition will celebrate the esteemed Victorian-era painter, showcasing several of his works commissioned by royalty. Set to take place at Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, it will not only feature his paintings but also give insights into Patons personal life through notebooks, artefacts and correspondence with the likes of Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll, and even Queen Victoria's own private secretary.
In his day, Paton was a household name, with crowd control barriers sometimes necessary to manage the spectators who flocked to view his showcased pieces. Notably admired by Queen Victoria, she is understood to have declared Paton her favoured painter for his creation of "such beautiful pictures" and he was personally summoned to Windsor Castle in 1862. There, on the Queen's behest, he drafted the poignant image of her and her nine children surrounding a bust of Prince Albert, whom they had recently lost in December 1861.
Accompanying the esteemed artist on this solemn trip were his wife Maggie and their children Diarmid, Mona, Freddy, and infant Victor. The sketch was originally intended as a preliminary drawing for a painting titled In Memoriam, but Paton had to abandon his plans and return home after falling ill with influenza during his stay, leaving the painting unfinished. Exhibition curator Lesley-Anne Lettice believes that Paton's invitation into Queen Victoria's inner circle during this period speaks volumes about the high regard in which he was held.
"Being invited to Windsor so early in the Queen's mourning period shows how highly Noel Paton was regarded he was one of very few non-family members allowed into her inner circle at that time," she said. "The exhibition is a celebration of a long life, well lived. Paton's vibrant paintings and intricate drawings are a testament to his talent and reflect the many interests of this fascinating man.
" Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Paton first caught the attention of the Royal family in 1847 when Prince Albert saw his acclaimed painting The Reconciliation of Oberon and Titania, which won a prize in a competition to decorate the new Houses of Parliament. Queen Victoria was so impressed by a painting called Home! Return from the Crimea when it was displayed at London's Royal Academy in 1856 that she requested him to paint a smaller version as a gift for her husband.
This led to several Royal commissions, many of which are featured in this exhibition. Among the exhibits is another sketch, this time a pen and ink drawing of the Royal family following Albert's death, a preliminary design for one of the panels he painted in Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, and an edition of Shakespeare's plays featuring his illustrations. Visitors will also have the chance to view the certificate and seal Paton received when he became the Queen's Limner in Scotland the artistic equivalent of the poet laureate in 1866.
Other artworks on display include pieces inspired by biblical scenes, classical mythology and Scottish folklore, allowing visitors to appreciate Paton's naturalistic style, which was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite art movement. In total, the exhibition showcases works from eight different public collections, including the National Galleries of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Academy and Glasgow Museums, as well as numerous private loans. The exhibition, titled Joseph Noel Paton An Artist's Life, runs from September 14 to February 9 2025 at Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries.
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