- 6
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S.
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S.
- Orpheus and his Lute; Eurydice Bitten by a Serpent; Orpheus and Eurydice Reunited; Orpheus Pursued by Furies
- all watercolour with bodycolour, circular
Provenance
Collection of Margaret Mackail, daughter of the artist;
Abbot & Holder, London, where purchased in 1951 by the grandparents of the present owner
Abbot & Holder, London, where purchased in 1951 by the grandparents of the present owner
Exhibited
Ottawa, National Gallery of Canada, William Morris, 1990;
Art Gallery of Ontario, The Earthly Paradise: Arts and Crafts by William Morris and His Circle from Canadian Collections, 1994
Art Gallery of Ontario, The Earthly Paradise: Arts and Crafts by William Morris and His Circle from Canadian Collections, 1994
Literature
W. Dale, The Artistic Treatment of the Exterior of the P'forte, Journal of the Society of Arts, I.V., 1906-7, p366
Condition
These four pictures are in very good condition. They have not been laid down and are cockling slightly. There are no visible stains or damages. The pictures are ready to hang.
FRAME
Contained together in a simple gilt frame with a clean mount and under glass.
"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."
"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
According to Burne-Jones’ account books, these drawings were made in 1872, seven years before Burne-Jones designed the circular roundels for the exterior of a famous piano made for his most loyal patron William Graham. Burne-Jones chose a suitably musical subject for the imagery, depicting the story of the musician Orpheus who ventured to the Underworld to plead with Pluto and Proserpine for life to be restored to his wife Eurydice who had been killed by a snake-bite. There are a set of ten pencil designs for the piano panels at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Of the earlier gouache designs, there are examples at Tate and in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and two more are known depicting Orpheus losing Eurydice and Orpheus encountering Sisyphus (Christie’s, London, 7 June 2001, lot 24 and 25).