Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Daniel Maclise died in 1870; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1940.
In context
May — Daniel Maclise
Row above: the year. Row below: the artist's age in that year.
Shaded: the lifetime of Daniel Maclise (1806–1870)
First works: up to 1836 Main working years: 1836–1859 Late works: from 1859
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell.
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/daniel-maclise-may-AQZCU7-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Walnut #81651f
Catalogued palette
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 55.4% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 221 works by this artist, of which 47 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 12 of them, with 1.6% of that attention.
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Cork, Ireland
Born: January 25, 1806, Cork, Ireland
Died: April 25, 1870, London, England
Parents: Alexander McLish (tanner/shoemaker) and Rebecca McLeish
Early education in Cork; showed artistic talent from a young age.
Studied at the Cork School of Art, focusing on drawing and anatomy.
Self-funded move to London in 1827 to pursue art studies.
Entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1828, excelling in life drawing and history painting.
Rapidly gained recognition for his portrait skills, notably depicting Charles Kean and Niccolò Paganini.
Contributed significantly to Fraser's Magazine under the pseudonym "Alfred Croquis," creating a series of character portraits that enhanced his reputation.
Became an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1835 and a full member in 1840.
Notable Works:
The Meeting of Wellington and Blücher after the Battle of Waterloo (located at Westminster Palace)
The Death of Nelson (located at Westminster Palace) – A monumental fresco considered one of his masterpieces.
The Chivalric Vow of the Ladies and the Peacock
Illustrations for Charles Dickens' Christmas books and other works.
Maclise’s style blended historical narrative with elements of realism and portraiture.
Influenced by French and classical art, particularly after his visit to Paris in 1830.
His work often depicted scenes from history, literature (Shakespeare), and mythology.
Demonstrated a keen eye for detail and characterization in both portraits and historical compositions.
Intense dedication to his art took a toll on his health.
Declined the presidency of the Royal Academy in 1865 due to declining health.
Died in Chelsea, London, in 1870.
A memoir was published by William Justin O'Driscoll in 1871.
Maclise’s murals at Westminster Palace remain significant contributions to British art and architecture.
His illustrations for Dickens helped popularize the author's works.
Considered a key figure in Victorian-era history painting, bridging the gap between Neoclassicism and Realism.
Maclise played a crucial role in documenting significant historical events and figures for a wider audience.
His work reflects the cultural and artistic trends of the 19th century, particularly the Victorian era's fascination with history and literature.
He helped establish the tradition of large-scale narrative painting within British art.
His contributions to Westminster Palace’s decoration are integral to the building's aesthetic and symbolic importance.
wikioo.org/en/art/download/daniel-maclise-may-AQZCU7-en/
Look closely
May — Daniel Maclise
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
A print of "May" by Daniel Maclise can be ordered directly on this page: a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper.
"May" has an augmented reality preview: the artwork's AR Preview page shows it in your own space on a compatible device.
The color identity of "May" by Daniel Maclise: a dark palette, dominated by walnut (#81651f).
The artist behind "May" is Daniel Maclise. The work is catalogued under Daniel Maclise's name.
The image of "May" by Daniel Maclise can be downloaded from the artwork's Download page: a high-resolution digital image download.
You can order a hand-painted reproduction of "May" by Daniel Maclise directly on this page: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, made to order.
"May" by Daniel Maclise is recorded with a clear color presence saturation and a vivid intensity.