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Henry Fuseli 1741-1825
Titania and Bottom circa 1790
Oil on canvas, 2172 x 2756 mm
Presented by Miss Julia Carrick Moore in accordance with the wishes of her sister 1887.
Fuseli first read Shakespeare's plays as a student in Zürich. This painting illustrates the scene in A Midsummer Night's Dream in which the Fairy Queen Titania is punished for her pride by her husband Oberon. He casts a spell which makes her fall in love with Bottom, whose head has been magically replaced by that of an ass. Here Titania orders her fairies to serve his every whim. Shakespeare's enchanted realm held a special appeal for Fuseli, allowing him to explore the supernatural world. This painting was commissioned by the publisher John Boydell as part of his 'Shakespeare Gallery'.
John Singer Sargent 1856-1925
Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth 1889
Oil on canvas
support: 2210 x 1143 mm frame: 2500 x 1434 x 105 mm
Presented by Sir Joseph Duveen 1906.
The famous actress, Dame Ellen Terry (1847-1928), is shown here in the role of Lady Macbeth. At the first performance in 1888, Sargent was struck by Terry's appearance and persuaded her to sit for a portrait. Terry's costume for the role was sewn over with real green beetle wings! The artist invented her dramatic pose, which did not occur in the production. Oscar Wilde, who saw Terry's arrival at Sargent's Chelsea studio, remarked, 'The street that on a wet and dreary morning has vouchsafed the vision of Lady Macbeth in full regalia magnificently seated in a four-wheeler can never again be as other streets: it must always be full of wonderful possibilities.'
