Sir Joseph Noël Paton R.S.A. 1821-1901

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Description

Sir Joseph Noel Paton, R.S.A.
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
signed with monogram l.l.: inscribed on an old label on the reverse: Glasgow/ The Valley of the Shadow of Death/ Sir N Paton/ 26 inch by 20; inscribed on the stretcherbar: Copyright of this Picture Strictly/ Reserved by (artist's monogram). Dec.r 1873.
oil on canvas
25 1/2 by 39 1/2cm.
10 by 15 1/2in.

Exhibited

Glasgow, Loan Exhibition, 1878 (In Aid of the Royal Infirmary), no.170

Catalogue Note

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death;

I will fear no evil; For thou art with me;"

Psalm XXIII. verse 4.

During Joseph Noel Paton's illustrious career, his paintings of religious subjects were extremely popular and much popularised through engravings. Paton's large biblical pictures were sent on tour around the country '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' (James Caw, Scottish Painting 1620-1908, pp.169-170).

A similar sized oil of The Valley of the Shadow of Death dated 1866, was included in Peter Nahum's exhibition Burne-Jones, The Pre-Raphaelites and their Century in 1989. The present version differs greatly, most noticeably in the clothing of the female soul which in the 1866 version had been naked, possibly offending more puritan eyes. The 1866 version also includes the additions of a fallen knight (rather than a skeleton) and discarded jewels and crowns, symbolic of wealth and victory which cannot be carried through Heaven's portal to eternity.

This painting is contained in its original tabernacle frame designed by the artist.