Victorian painting refers to the distinctive styles of painting in the United Kingdom during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901). Victoria's early reign was characterised by rapid industrial development and social and political change, which made the United Kingdom one of the most powerful and advanced nations in the world.

Victorian artworks represented all of the age’s Christian and Imperial assumptions. It included historical painting, many styles of genre painting, such as landscape painting, and, naturally, portrait art of all kinds. Themes about fairies were common, and aspects of the feminine were always a prominent feature of Victorian-era art.

The most popular subject matter was history painting, genre painting, landscapes, and portraits, most of which revealed its time’s Imperial and Christian beliefs. Fairies and symbolism were a common theme in Victorian era art, with the feminine as a major element, as were scenes from Shakespeare’s plays and the Arthurian Legends.

Let us take a look at some of the most famous examples of Victorian artwork. One of the most well-known pictures from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet is Millais’ depiction of Ophelia’s terrible demise as she falls into the water and drowns. The Pre-Raphaelites were noted for painting themes from current literary works in historical attire.