Items Similar to Study for Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 3
Sir Edward Burne-JonesStudy for Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon
About the Item
Graphite on paper
Image size: 7 1/2 x 9 inches (19 x 23 cm)
Carved gilt frame
Literature
Illustrated in Malcolm Bell's 'Sir Edward Burne-Jones, A Record and Review', London, 1899, p.127.
Provenance
Major Charles Sydney Goldman 1958
By descent to his Sons
John and Margaret Monck (John Goldman Monck) 1958-1963
Commander Victor Robert Penryn Monck (Victor Robert Penryn Monk Goldman) 1958-1963
Christie's London (Christie, Manson and Woods) 1963, John Monck and Cmdr Penryn Monck sale 26 April 1963 part lot 71
Sir John Richardson, 2019
Burne-Jones decided that the folds in the drapery in this study were too complex for the final painting and fairly soon after he simplified the draperies.
The work is a drapery study for the seated figures at the centre of Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones monumental The Sleep of Arthur in Avalon (Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico). The artist spent seventeen years working on the complex narrative, even moving his studio to a larger space to accommodate the canvas. Born as a commission from his patron George Howard, 9th Earl of Carlisle, to decorate a wall in his library at Naworth Castle, The Sleep of Arthur in Avalon was left unfinished in Burne-Jones’ studio upon his death. The work was bequeathed to a studio neighbour whose descendants sold it at auction in 1963, where it was purchased by Luis A. Ferré, politician and founder of the Museo de Arte de Ponce.
To his friends and family, Burne-Jones was known for his 'unpainted masterpieces'. Indeed, from his youth he made swift sketches, such as this study, that appeared effortless in contrast to his carefully crafted paintings and allowed him to work out ideas and refine details. He also drew outside of the studio, and his contemporaries remarked at his uncanny ability to do so while fully engaged in other activities. The painter W. Graham Robertson recalled; 'Once, while talking to me, he took up a little pocketbook and sketched absently as he carried on the conversation'.
The importance and role of these sketches to Burne-Jones were practical; to test out ideas and compositions directly from the mind and to use them for reference when he came to execute a final piece. Today, sketches such as this provide a useful insight to the artist's thought process as a primary source of evidence to expose gradual progression to final works.
As Burne-Jones’ work became increasing elaborate within his later compositions, so did the preparatory sketches, these exquisite and sensitive drawings were not just a compliment to the final piece, but works of art in themselves. From the 1870s onwards, Burne-Jones had an established method in the development towards a final painting. Beginning with rough exploratory sketches, he would gradually define his compositions through multiple individual sketches, isolating every detail within the scene and experimenting with various designs until he was completely satisfied with the final result.
- Creator:Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1833 - 1898, English)
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
- More Editions & Sizes:1 of 1Price: $9,171
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU52410529692
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2007
1stDibs seller since 2014
63 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 4 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- The Beekeepers Mid 20th Century Female Artist GraphiteBy Alice Headley NeaveLocated in London, GBAlice Headley Neave 1903-1977 The Beekeepers Graphite on paper, signed and dated 'Christmas 1942' Image size: 9 x 9 inches Contemporary frame The daughter of Dr Arthur Henry Headley Huckle, a surgeon and 'painting dealer', Alice was...Category
Mid-20th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGraphite, Paper
- Europa and the Bull, 20th Century British Graphite Drawing, SignedLocated in London, GBGraphite on paper, signed with stamp Image size: 9 x 6 ¾ inches Acid free mount Born in London, Moody studied at Battersea Polytechnic and at Royal College of Art under William Roth...Category
20th Century English School Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGraphite
- A Moment's Rest, 19th Century Graphite OrientalistBy Carl Friedrich Heinrich WernerLocated in London, GBCARL FRIEDRICH HEINRICH WERNER 1808 - 1894 A Moment's Rest Graphite on Paper Gilt Frame Image Size: 10 x 17 ¼ inches SKETCHES OF CARL WERNER EXHIBITION AT OUR GALLERY 1st - 9TH D...Category
19th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGraphite, Paper
- Purchasing a Hawk, 19th Century Graphite OrientalistBy Carl Friedrich Heinrich WernerLocated in London, GBCARL FRIEDRICH HEINRICH WERNER 1808 - 1894 Purchasing a Hawk Graphite on Paper Carved giltwood frame Image Size: 12 x 18 ½ inches SKETCHES OF CARL WERNER EXHIBITION AT OUR GALLERY...Category
19th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGraphite, Paper
- Street Tailors in Cairo - Original Sketch, 19th CenturyBy Carl Friedrich Heinrich WernerLocated in London, GBCARL FRIEDRICH HEINRICH WERNER 1808 - 1894 Street Tailors in Cairo Graphite on Paper Image Size: 13 ¾ x 19 ¾ inches Acid free mount SKETCHES OF CARL WERNER EXHIBITION AT OUR G...Category
19th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Graphite
- The Cyclist, 20th Century English Graphite SketchBy Gordon ScottLocated in London, GBPencil on Paper Image size: 18 1/2 x 14 inches (45.75 x 35.5 cm) White gold frame Gordon Scott Scott was trained at the Royal College of Art (1934-38) under Gilbert Spencer, Alan So...Category
20th Century Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGraphite, Paper
You May Also Like
- Early English topograpical watercolor of Chinese figuresLocated in Harkstead, GBA beautifully drawn pencil study of Chinese figures by one of the great topographical masters of the early 19th Century. George Chinnery (1774-1852) Chinese figures leading livestoc...Category
Early 19th Century Victorian Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Pencil
- American ships being re-supplied possibly off the coast of Brazil or BarbadosLocated in Woodbury, CTAmerican ships off either the coast of Brazil or Barbados from the 1860'sCategory
1860s Victorian Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsCarbon Pencil
- A view of Bridgetown, Barbados with the U.S.S Shamokin 1868Located in Woodbury, CTA very interesting scene off of the coast of Bridgetown, Barbados. The USS Shamokin at sea on one of its first voyages after being de-commisioned from the American Navy.Category
1860s Victorian Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsCarbon Pencil
- Pencil drawing off of Sandy Hook, NY of a ship on its way to BrazilLocated in Woodbury, CTWonderful and historically interesting scene of a steam ship off the coast of Sandy Hook, New YorkCity before its voyage to Brazil. Part of a collection of pencil drawings , all uns...Category
1860s Victorian Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsCarbon Pencil
- Max Beerbohm, 19th Century British caricature of Mr Harry NicholsBy Max BeerbohmLocated in Petworth, West SussexMax Beerbohm (British, 1872 – 1956) Mr Harry Nicholls (In a life of pleasure), 1893 Signed ‘MAX’ (lower right), inscribed with title in ink Pencil on paper with evidence of some wate...Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pencil
- 19th Century Portrait of a Lady French Original Pencil Drawing signed 1883Located in FR19th Century Portrait of a Lady French Pencil Drawing signed and dedicated 1883 In its original oval ebonised frame Decicated on the ba...Category
1880s Victorian Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Pencil
