Information

A single photogravure, from a leather bound portfolio of 91 photogravures of original paintings. The folio is signed by Edward Burne-Jones' son, Philip. It is one of an edition 200.The original watercolour from which this photogravure is taken is in the collection of the Museo de Arte, Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The original watercolour on which this photogravure is based, is the first painting of the very first series of the 'Legend of the Briar Rose' (the fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty') that Burne-Jones executed between 1871-73 (now in the Museo de Arte, Ponce, Puerto Rico). The first series was comprised of three paintings total, the first and the third panels being two of the most highly sexualised images in Burne-Jones's oeuvre. The standing knight, entering the briar wood is modelled on Maria Zambaco. The second dead knight, is based on Jane Morris, while the third, on Georgiana Burne-Jones. Three other completed images are also extant, with little or no deviation from this composition. The first is a tile design now in the V & A, part of the entire cycle of the 'Sleeping Beauty' fairy tale. The second is a study for the dead knights in the wood, now at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. The third, the most highly finished version of this scene, installed at Buscot Park, Berkshire, part of the Faringdon Collection.

  • Purchased, 1900.
  • © Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

Makers

Association Artist Organisation
After Sir Edward Burne-Jones -
Publisher - Berlin Photographic Company

Literature

Author(s) Date(s) Publisher Pages
Hidden Burne-Jones, Works on paper by Edward Burne-Jones from Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
Elisa Korb, Tessa Sidey 2007 Dan Giles, Ltd., London p. 63

Associated people

Name Type
Maria Zambaco Artist's model
Georgiana Burne-Jones Artist's model
Jane Morris Artist's model

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