This finely detailed line engraving illustrates a key moment from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act 3, Scene 1), where Titania, Queen of the Fairies, under the spell of a magical love potion, becomes enamoured with Bottom, a rustic actor whose head has been transformed into that of a donkey.
The dynamic composition captures Titania’s regal poise as she gazes affectionately at Bottom, while mischievous fairies attend to their enchanted Queens newfound love. The darkly surreal atmosphere, exaggerated gestures, and swirling motion are all hallmarks of Henry Fuseli’s distinctive artistic style. Fuseli’s fascination with Shakespearean themes and supernatural elements is evident in this composition, where figures loom from the shadows, lending an ethereal, dreamlike intensity to the scene.
