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Lot Essay
Sir Joseph Noel Paton is best known as one of the most well-loved Fairy painters. Fairy painting flourished in Victorian England, satisfying the contemporary taste for both the fanciful and the macabre, and Noel Paton's exquisite paintings represented the most charming additions to this genre (see lots 30 and 31). However Paton was also a painter of historical, religious and contemporary life subjects. His early Pre-Raphaelite affiliations (he was a close friend of Millais') can account for his characteristically luminous colour palette and fine technique.
Following his Royal Academy school training, Noel Paton returned to Scotland where he remained for the rest of life, exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy. He was appointed H.M. Limner for Scotland and knighted in 1866. After 1870 his subject matter became predominantly religious, and his style flatter and more schematic.
Following his Royal Academy school training, Noel Paton returned to Scotland where he remained for the rest of life, exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy. He was appointed H.M. Limner for Scotland and knighted in 1866. After 1870 his subject matter became predominantly religious, and his style flatter and more schematic.