09/06/2026
In Marco Calvi's "Fairies", we meet the Fairy Queen— Titania— and her four handmaidens.
Titania is the Queen of the fairies and wife of the Fairy King, Oberon. The pair are depicted as powerful natural spirits who together guarantee the fertility or health of the human and natural worlds. She is a character in William Shakespeare's 1595–1596 play A Midsummer Night's Dream.
The names Titania sound vaguely classical, but neither is a figure from classical mythology. Survivals of homegrown English paganism were sometimes denounced as witchcraft; but Shakespeare folds his pagan fairies into the more accepted mythology of Greco-Roman literature. Shakespeare likely took the name Titania from Ovid's Metamorphoses, where it is an appellation given to the daughters of Titans. In traditional folklore, the fairy queen has no name. Due to Shakespeare's influence, later fiction has often used the name Titania for fairy-queen characters.
Titania's for handmaidens are Cobweb, Mustardseed, Peaseblosdom and Moth.
Cobweb has a special connection to the animal world. She always carries out the most delicate tasks—those requiring lightness and care. She is thoughtful, quiet, and wise.
Mustardseed hasties to the plant world. Cheerful, spirited, and often mischievous, she loves playing pranks on members of the court to amuse the Queen. If she remains quiet and still for too long, she is likely plotting some amusing trick.
Peaseblosdom is linked to the plant world. Skilled, swift, and efficient, she always carries out the Queen's orders.
Moth has a connection to the animal world. She has an eccentric and whimsical nature, often speaking in riddles and puns. It is said that through her painted eyes she can see everything, including the past and the future.
These beauties are all watercolors, pencils and acrylic on paper. On view till Sept 26 and available via our online catalog 💕 we ship worldwide 💕
