Landseer’s work depicts the moment in which Shakespeare’s Titania, drugged by a love potion, falls in love with Bottom. Not only is this one of the most-loved paintings in the NGV’s Collection, but Queen Victoria was also taken by the magical and mysterious work, and Lewis Carroll remarked at the majestic white rabbit, which no doubt influenced The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland.

View work in NGV Collection online

Edwin Landseer International NGV Collection Painting Art International

Away with the fairies. Edwin Landseer’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Titania and Bottom, 1848–1851

Read essay

Works of the Salon's Walls Playlist

See all playlists

Louise Bouteiller’s Césarine de Houdetot, Baronne de Barante, reading Paul et Virginie With Senior Curator of International art, Ted Gott Edwin Landseer’s Scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream With Senior Curator of International art, Ted Gott William Quiller Orchardson’s The First Cloud With Senior Curator of International art, Ted Gott Animalia art in the Salon With Curator of International art, Laurie Benson Arthur Streeton’s Corfe Castle With Curator of International Art, Laurie Benson Josephine and Napoléon divorce Laurie Benson shares the story behind the painting Hanging the NGV Salon Go behind the scenes

---

You might like

Why I paint John Wolseley A father paints his daughter | Susanna Highmore With Assistant Curator Dr. Maria Quirk The world of wabi-sabi | Japanese ceramics and kimono With NGV Curator The John Herbert Public Conservation Project Live conservation, part 4