Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt

Study of the Virgin and Child for ‘The Star of Bethlehem’

c.1887

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt 1833–1898
Medium
Graphite on paper
Dimensions
Support: 268 x 153 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by Lord Duveen 1925
Reference
N04110

Display caption

In 1887 Burne-Jones produced a design depicting the Adoration of the Kings at Christ's Nativity, entitled 'The Star of Bethlehem' The subject was first realised as a large tapestry for Exeter College, Oxford (1890). But while work on the tapestry was still in hand at Merton Abbey, Burne-Jones was commissioned to make a replica in watercolours by the Corporation of Birmingham. Although Burne-Jones's christian faith was shaken (if not altogether lost) while he was a student at Oxford, he retained a profound sense of spirituality. When asked if he believed in the story of the Nativity, as he worked on the watercolour for Birmingham, he professed the view that it was 'too beautiful not to be true'.

Gallery label, August 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Pre-Raphaelite

Explore

You might like

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Studies for a Nativity

date not known
View by appointment A00128

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt The Nativity

date not known
View by appointment A01160
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Study of the Maid for ‘King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid’’ 1883

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Study of the Maid for ‘King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid’

1883
On display at Tate Britain part of Edward Burne-Jones T00565
William Holman Hunt, ‘Study for the Christ Child in the Virgin’s Arms for ‘The Triumph of the Innocents’ (first version)’ 1876

William Holman Hunt Study for the Christ Child in the Virgin’s Arms for ‘The Triumph of the Innocents’ (first version)

1876
T03321
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Study for ‘Pluto and Proserpine Listening to the Music of Orpheus’’ c.1875

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Study for ‘Pluto and Proserpine Listening to the Music of Orpheus’

c.1875
View by appointment A00108

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Study of Heads for a Pietà

date not known
View by appointment A00100
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Study of the Maid for ‘King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid’’ 1883–4

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Study of the Maid for ‘King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid’

1883–4
N05177

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt The Nativity

date not known
View by appointment A01176
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Study of a Seated Woman for ‘The Passing of Venus’’ c.1877

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Study of a Seated Woman for ‘The Passing of Venus’

c.1877
View by appointment A00062
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘The Finding of Moses’ 1879

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt The Finding of Moses

1879
View by appointment A00073
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Studies of Drapery and the Figure of the Virgin for the ‘Annunciation’ in the Church of St Martin’s-on-the-Hill, Scarborough, Yorkshire’ c.1862

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Studies of Drapery and the Figure of the Virgin for the ‘Annunciation’ in the Church of St Martin’s-on-the-Hill, Scarborough, Yorkshire

c.1862
On display at Tate Britain part of Edward Burne-Jones N04343
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Study of Seated Figure for ‘The Garden Court’ in the ‘Briar Rose’ Series’ c.1873

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Study of Seated Figure for ‘The Garden Court’ in the ‘Briar Rose’ Series

c.1873
On display at Tate Britain part of Edward Burne-Jones A00064
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Study of Seated Figure for ‘The Garden Court’ in the ‘Briar Rose’ Series’ c.1873

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Study of Seated Figure for ‘The Garden Court’ in the ‘Briar Rose’ Series

c.1873
View by appointment A00063
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘The Mermaid’ 1882

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt The Mermaid

1882
T00457
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘The Passing of Venus’ 1898

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt The Passing of Venus

1898
N03453