'Romeo and Juliet' most romantic painting in UK

An oil painting by Sir Frank Bernard Dicksee called ‘Romeo and Juliet’ from 1884 has been given the title of ‘Most romantic work of art on display in the UK.’ It won with 71% of the 2,030 votes which were cast by adults in a poll conducted by YouGov on behalf of the UK Art Fund.

Dicksee’s painting depicts the scene of Shakespeare’s tragedy in which the star-crossed lovers say goodbye to each other after their wedding night, unaware that they shall never see each other alive again.

The work of art is on display in the Southampton City Art Gallery, which boasts a renowned and impressive collection of 3,500 pieces. Total value of Southampton City Council’s art collection is believed to be around the mark of £180 million. The Art Fund is a foundation that aids galleries and museums with the purchase, showcase and sharing of works of art in the United Kingdom.

Southampton City Council sparked controversy when they proposed to sell works from the City Art Gallery in order to raise £5 million to contribute toward the £15 million needed for the Sea City Heritage Centre of Southampton. The art subject to sale were named as Rodin’s Eve or Crouching Woman, and Afred J. Munning’s After the Race. The Visual Arts and Galleries Association expressed their “concern” with such a proposal, and suggested that it could potentially have negative ramifications and a “fundamental effect on museum collections across the country.”

Dicksee’s Romeo and Juliet, however, has managed to avoid the vaults of the City Council, and is still currently on display to the public. The Curatorial Officer, Tim Craven, said: “I knew that we would be in with a good chance of winning this Art Fund competition with Sir Frank Dicksee’s Romeo and Juliet. It is a superb painting on a grand scale and has always been popular with regular Gallery visitors. It was bequeathed to the City Council by Mr J J Crossfield of Embley Park, Romsey in 1941.”

Director of the Art Fund, Dr Stephen Deuchar, said: "This is a timely reminder of the power of art to touch the heart as well as the eye and the top ten also shows what riches we have in UK museums and galleries.

"With the success of the National Art Pass and continued support of our 90,000 members, the Art Fund can continue helping museums across the country to buy, show and share great works of art for the enjoyment of everyone."

The other pieces of artwork that featured on the poll included Auguste Rodin’s The Kiss. It came second on the poll and is presently on display at the Turner Contemporary in Margate, Kent.

Top Ten most romantic paintings on display in the UK came as follows:

1. Frank Bernard Dicksee: Romeo and Juliet, 1884 (71% of the vote)
2. Auguste Rodin: The Kiss, 1901-04 (68% of the vote)
3. William Hogarth: Before/After, 1730-31 (49% of the vote)
4. Nicolas Poussin: Rinaldo & Armida, 1628-30
5. Fragonard: The Swing, c.1767
6. Jan Van Eyck: The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434
7. Diego Velazquez: The Rokeby Venus, 1647-51
8. Sandro Botticelli: Venus and Mars, c.1485
=9. Titian: Bacchus and Ariadne, 1520-23
=9. Paul Gauguin: Nevermore, 1897