Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S. 1833-1898

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S.
THE NATIVITY, CARTOONS FOR STAINED GLASS AT ST. DAVID'S CHURCH, HAWARDEN
one inscribed u.l.: HAWARDEN/ No 1 Left of 4 lights/ 2/3 full size/ No1; further inscribed l.l.: The Nativity No 1; another inscribed u.l.: l.r.: HAWARDEN/ No 2 Left of 4 lights/ 2/3 full size/ No2; futher inscribed l.l.: The Nativity No 2; another inscribed u.l.: HAWARDEN/ No 3 Left of 4 lights/ 2/3 full size/ No3; further inscribed l.l.: The Nativity No 3; the other inscribed u.l.: HAWARDEN/ No 4 Left of 4 lights/ 2/3 full size/ No4; further inscribed l.l.: The Nativity No 4; bears an inscription l.r.: These 4 cartoons comprising The Nativity were designed and drawn/ by the late Sir Edward Burne Jones Bt for Messrs./ Morris & Company of Merton Abbey Surrey/ signed. Morris Company H Dearle (partner)/ April 2 1901
pen and ink over coloured chalks

Provenance

Toronto, Mr and Mrs Joseph M Tanenbaum;
Sotheby's, 4 June 1997, lot 164:
Private collection

Exhibited

Art Gallery of Ontario, The Other Nineteenth Century, 14 June - 29 July 1979, additional exhibition item

Literature

Malcom Bell, Sir Edward Burne-Jones; A Record and Review, 1899, pg. 83;
Georgina Burne-Jones, Memorials of Edward Burne-Jones, 1904, pp. 317, 338;
Martin Harrison & Martin Waters, Burne-Jones, 1973, pp.117, 169 (the finished window is repr. pg. 170);
Penelope Fitzgerald, Edward Burne-Jones; A Biography, 1975, pp. 278, 281

Condition

STRUCTURE Far left panel; A line appears through the middle and there are slight scuff marks top left. Evidence of staining in a few small areas along the lower edge (approx 4-5 inches long) Centre left panel; The paper is bulging in an area on the far right edge, top third of the painting, and a smaller opposite on the far left edge. A horizontal line appears in the middle and a few small stains appear but mainly on the lower edge. Centre right panel; A line appears through the middle and there are slight scuff marks top left. Evidence of staining in a few small areas along the lower edge. Also, a few scuff marks in few areas along the edge. Far right panel; A line appears through the middle and there slight scuff marks top left. Evidence of staining in a few small areas along the lower edge. Some spots that maybe foxing appear mainly on the right edge in the middle. There is an additional spot staining at the bottom. The set appear to be in good condition overall and are ready to hang. FRAME The panels are contained in simple oak frames.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

"In the autumn I designed a window for Hawarden, of the Nativity". (Edward Burne-Jones quoted by Georgina Burne-Jones in Memorials of Edward Burne-Jones, 1904, pg. 317)

The designs for the window at St. David's church in Hawarden were commissioned in the last year of Burne-Jones' life by the sons and daughters of William Gladstone and his wife to commemorate the long and harmonious marriage of their parents. The window presented Burne-Jones with a problem as 'the four main lights made anything but single figures a great difficulty.' (Ibid, pg. 317). Burne-Jones decided to treat the windows as one sub-divided scene as though viewed through a pierced portal, to the birth of Christ with the magi and shepherds in the flanks. 'The Increasing illness of Mr. Gladstone made his children anxious to have their windows set up in Hawarden Church, whilst he could still care anything about it; and Edward went down to Merton Abbey more than once to look at it while it was being made.' (ibid pg. 338). A letter from Burne-Jones to Frances Horner described one such visit to the glass works 'I heard on Friday from Mary Drew, so wanting the window, the Nativity window, which his children are giving as thanks-offering for that long, splendid life. I go to Merton Abbey with a heavy heart, to see it and watch it. I think it looks well, and in a fortnight will be set up. Since they want it I hope it can be in time, yet I marvel that anything seems to matter.' (ibid. pg. 338)

'With the strange, spiky forms of Burne-Jones's latest work and clear, cold blue and brown colouring, there is a concentration of all the lines on the Mother and Child, the last thing visible in Hawarden church today as the evening light fades. The old pattern-maker could still make a pattern.' (Penelope Fitzgerald, Edward Burne-Jones: A Biography, 1975, pg. 278)