Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing
Drawing on paper • William Blake
Style & Movement
Romanticism
Medium & Technique
Pen and ink with watercolor on paper
Creation Period
c. 1785
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 47.5 x 67.5 cm, landscape format
Subject Description
The artwork illustrates a scene from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, featuring Oberon, Titania, and Puck with a circle of fairies dancing gracefully in a nocturnal woodland setting filled with symbolic flora and ethereal lighting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Typical age-related toning of the paper and slight fading of watercolor pigments, preserved in a museum environment.
Estimated Market Value
Museum-owned masterpiece; not commercially available, but comparable works by the artist command tens of millions of dollars.
Auction Estimate
Unavailable due to institutional ownership; comparable top-tier Blake watercolors would estimate in the $15,000,000 - $25,000,000 range if ever offered.
Provenance History
Held in major museum collections, specifically the Tate Gallery, London, following acquisition through historical British art bequests and collections.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal work in William Blake's early career, demonstrating his unique synthesis of visionary poetry, classical linear design, and theatrical illustration.
Notable Features
Exquisite fine pen outlines characteristic of Blake's 'fresco' and watercolor methods, fluid linear movement, and luminous handling of light within a dark nocturnal canopy.
Condition Issues
Fading of delicate watercolor washes, minor paper acidification due to age, and subtle surface abrasions typical of 18th-century works on paper.
Conservation Recommendations
Strict light level controls (under 50 lux), stable relative humidity between 45-50%, UV-filtered glazing, and acid-free mounting for permanent display.