The Valley of the Shadow of Death by Sir Joseph Noel paton, RSA

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Sir Joseph Noel paton, RSA

Signed with a monogram and dated 1866

Oil on canvas

12 x 7 1/2 inches, 30.5 x 19 cm

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Commentary by Hilary Morgan

Paton's religious pictures were very highly thought of in his lifetime. In 1895, the Art journal wrote of his "later and more matured period" when he produced "those profoundly thoughtful works which are, perhaps the most striking characteristics of his genius, and with which his name in future times will be chiefly associated, as they are so associated in the public mind at present". The large versions of these pictures were "sent on tour with footlights and a lecturer, attracted great audiences and secured a long list of subscribers for reproductions. They were a solace to many serious-minded people, and afforded the popular preacher many a coloured text".

The format and style of the present picture suggest that it was conceived as an idea for a bigger painting, but there is no evidence that it was ever enlarged. The naked female figure, despite its religious purpose, would have offended the sensibilities of the non-conformists, Paton's main audience. Indeed Paton probably never exhibited the painting. The image reveals the latent vein of eroticism which underlies Paton's work, and which comes to the surface only in his sketchbooks and in the cavorting fairies of "Oberon and Titania" (National Gallery of Scotland) and similar works.

To modern eyes, this small painting has greater visual attractiveness than Paton's large religious works. As the Dictionary of Victorian Painters states, these "move towards a cold and academic style often compared to the Nazarenes. The sketches for these late works — usually in brown monochrome — are often livelier and more interesting than the finished picture".

References

Morgan, Hilary and Nahum, Peter. Burne-Jones, The Pre-Raphaelites and Their Century. London: Peter Nahum, 1989. Catalogue number 32.

Art Journal, 1895, Sir Joseph Noel Paton, His Life and Work', page 112.

James Caw, Scottish Painting 1620-1908, (1908). pp. 169-170

Bryan's Dictionary of Painters

Christopher Wood, The Dictionary of Victorian Painters. Antique Collector's Club, Woodbridge, Suffolk 1978. p 360

References

Waters, Bill. Burne-Jones — A Quest for Love: Works by Sir Edward Burne-Jones Bt and Related Works by Contemporary Artists. London: Peter Nahum, 1993. Catalogue number 60.

Last modified 1 August 2001