The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke is an oil painting by English painter Richard Dadd. The painting was created between 1855 and 1864, during the artist’s stay in a mental institution. The work depicts a scene in which fairies and other fantastical creatures prepare to execute a precise, masterful axe stroke.
The painting is located at Tate Britain in London. Admission to the gallery is free. It is worth checking before visiting if the painting is on display.
The painting measures 540 x 394 mm.
Richard Dadd’s painting inspired Freddie’s song “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke” from his 1974 album Queen II. The song’s fantasy-based lyrics directly reference the characters and scenes depicted in the painting and in Dadd’s accompanying poem, “Elimination of a Picture & Its Subject,” titled “The Feller’s Master Stroke.” Among the characters are Queen Mab, Will the Coachman, Tatterdemalion, and others. The intricately arranged studio recording featured Mercury on harpsichord and piano, and Roy Thomas Baker on castanets. Taylor called the song “Queen’s greatest stereo experiment,” referring to the use of panning in the mix. The song was performed only a few times during the Queen II tour and was believed to have never been recorded live until 2014, when it was released on the album Live at the Rainbow ’74. (via Wikipedia)
adsress: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, Wielka Brytania
GPS 51.490871 N, -0.127181 E
Direction: tube stadion Pimlico
Millbank, City of Westminster, England, Wielka Brytania