Queen of the May

Image credit: Bridgeman Images

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Schmalz produced paintings inspired by religious and mythological stories alongside portraits, particularly of young women exemplifying Victorian values. Here Schmalz depicts a rural May Queen in modest dress, wearing a crown of blossoming hawthorn and holding more in her hand. Hawthorn’s folk name is the May Tree and it was an important part of the May Day celebrations symbolising the beginning of new life and the onset of the growing season.

Touchstones Rochdale

Rochdale

Title

Queen of the May

Date

1884

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 128 x W 72 cm

Accession number

228

Acquisition method

gift from Robert Taylor Heape, 1911

Work type

Painting

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Touchstones Rochdale

The Esplanade, Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL16 1AQ England

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