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Joseph Noel Paton (13 December 1821 – 26 December 1901) was a Scottish artist, born in Woolers Alley, Dunfermline, Fife.

Born to a family of weavers who worked with damask, Joseph continued the families trade for a short time. He had strong artistic inclinations however and studied briefly at the Royal Academy, London in 1843.

He painted in the Pre-Raphaelite style and became a painter of historical, fairy, allegorical and religious subjects.

The first picture to be shown to the public was 'Ruth Gleaning' which was shown at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1844. He won a number of prizes for his work including for two of his most famous works The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania (1846 - exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy) and The Reconciliation of Oberon and Titania (1847 - Westminster Hall). Which are both available to view by the public at the National Gallery of Scotland.

Made an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1847 and a fellow in 1850. In 1858, he married Margaret Ferrier and had two sons the eldest being Diarmid Noel Paton (1859 - 1928) who became a regius professor of physiology in Glasgow in 1906. His youngest Frederick Noel Paton (b. 1861) was to become director of commercial intelligence to the government of India (1905). In 1865, he was appointed Queen's Limner for Scotland. He also published two volumes of poetry and produced a number of sculptures. Two years later he receaved the knighthood and in 1878 was conferred the degree LL.D by the University of Edinburgh.

One cannot finish speaking of Sir Noel without mentioning that he was a well known antiquary due to collecting arms and armour. He died in Edinburgh on the 26th of December 1901.

He receives a mention in Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy. In the 'Happy Warriors' chapter, Ivor Claire visits Cape Town Art Gallery and sees 'two remarkable Noel Patons'.

• By a Painter (1861) Poem
  

• Spindrift (1867) Poem
  

• In Die Malo (1882)
  

• Oskold and the Ell-maids (1874)
  

• Mors Janua Vitae (1866)
  

• The Pursuit of Pleasure (1855)
  

• The Spirit of Religion (cartoon)
  
• The Bluidie Tryst (1855)
  (Type : Oil on Canvas Size : 28 5/8 x 25 1/2 inches (73 x 65 cm) Location : Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, Scotland)
• Hesperus (1857)
  (Type : Oil on canvas Size : 35 3/4 x 27 1/8 inches (91 x 69 cm) Location : Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, Scotland)
• How an Angel rowed Sir Galahad across the Dern Mere (1888)
  (Type : Oil on canvas Location : Private collection)
• Hesperus - detail (1857)
  (Type : Oil on canvas Size : 35 3/4 x 27 1/8 inches (91 x 69 cm) Location : Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, Scotland)
• Oberon and the Mermaid (1888)
  (Type : Oil on canvas Location : Private collection)
• Sir Galahad
  (Type : Oil on canvas Location : Private collection)
• In Memoriam (1858)
  (Type : Oil on panel Size : 48 3/8 x 37 7/8 inches (123 x 96.5 cm) Location : Private collection)
• Calvary (1849)
  (Type : Pencil on paper Size : 4 1/8 x 6 1/2 inches (10.5 x 16.8 cm) Location : Private collection)
• Sermon On The Mount (1849)
  (Type : Pencil on paper Size : 4 1/8 x 6 1/2 inches (10.5 x 16.8 cm) Location : Private collection)
• Cymocles Discovered By Atis In The Bowre Of Blisse, Spencer's Fairie Queene, Book II, Chapter V (1848)
  (Type : Pen, ink and wash Size : 8 1/4 x 12 inches (21 x 30.5 cm) Location : Public collection)
• Warriors
  (Type : Oil on canvas Size : 23 x 27 7/8 inches (58.5 x 71 cm) Location : Private collection)

• List of Pre-Raphaelite paintings - including the work of Joseph Noel Paton.

• National Gallery Of Scotland
• Art Renewal Org - Joseph Noel Patons Page where you can view purchase prints