‘And now they never meet in grove or green,’ from act 2, scene 1 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (1908)

Delve into the enchanting world of Arthur Rackham's "And now they never meet in grove or green," a stunning illustration inspired by William Shakespeare's *A Midsummer Night's Dream*. This artwork from 1908 beautifully captures a scene from Act 2, Scene 1, where the complexities of love and enchantment begin to unfurl in the mystical Athenian woods.In this atmospheric depiction, Rackham brings to life the ethereal and whimsical elements of Shakespeare's play. The image is dominated by the graceful figures of Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies, estranged by a lover’s quarrel. Titania, resplendent in flowing robes of blue, seems to glide through the air, embodying the elegance and aloofness that characterise her character. Oberon, poised with intent and draped in a rust-hued cloak, confronts Titania, his posture suggesting a mixture of authority and forlorn desire.Surrounding these pivotal characters are a host of charming fairies, tiny yet full of expression, suggesting the unseen and powerful influence of the supernatural on the human world depicted in the play. The scene is set against a backdrop of a wild, swirling sky and a bleak, yet beautifully detailed landscape, which enhances the sense of a world balanced between reality and enchantment.Arthur Rackham’s masterful blend of delicate ink and muted watercolors adds a dream-like quality to the scene, capturing the essence of Shakespeare’s timeless play and inviting viewers to step into a world where magic whispers from every leaf and shadow.