Royal artist gets seal of approval from gallery-goers

Nearly 14,000 visitors have already been through the doors at a Fife gallery to see a celebration of the life and work of Sir Joseph Noel Paton, Queen Victoria's favourite painter, in his home city - and have been blown away at the quality of the show.

The exhibition, which closes at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Gallery on 9 February, charts the remarkable career of the artist and was given a five-star review by the distinguished critic Duncan Macmillan, who is Professor Emeritus of Fine Art at the University of Edinburgh.

But just as important are the glowing reviews from visitors, with some 500 pieces of feedback left on comment cards.?

One visitor describes the show as “fantastic”, stating: “It’s so informative ... I’m planning on visiting again as there is so much to take in.”

Another comments: “Despite living in Dunfermline for the past 20 years, I knew nothing of Noel Paton. He deserves a lot more recognition. I'm glad this wonderful exhibition is raising his profile.”

Those thoughts were echoed in another card: “I hadn’t heard of Noel Paton. The detail in his paintings is extraordinary. I was recommended to see it by a friend and was not disappointed.”

The exhibition features more than 70 works of art as well as personal items, including sketch books and correspondence from artists John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rosetti and Ford Madox Brown and from writers Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll.

The show has been a labour of love for OnFife curator Lesley-Anne Lettice who says the retrospective provides a unique insight into Noel Paton as an artist and as a man: “This is a celebration of a hugely diverse career and its influences – Paton’s family, friends and upbringing all found expression in his work.”

With only four weeks to go, it's one not to miss!

Joseph No?l Paton: An Artist’s Life – From Dunfermline to the Royal Court?will be on display until February 9.