A finished design for illustration to the Pygmalion and the Image episode in William Morris's The Earthly Paradise. Through technical difficulties Morris's text appeared without illustration in 1868, Burne-Jones went on to convert four of the illustrations into paintings starting work on them in 1868. He then repeated the four paintings in producing a second series from 1875-78. Manuscript illustrations from fol. 149r Le roman de la rose Shelfmark: Bodleian Library MS. Douce 195 Holding Institution: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford Date Statement: 15th century, end Place of Origin: France Language: French, Middle (ca. 1400-1600) Catalogue Description: Catalogue of Western Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford Libraries Author: Guillaume de Lorris Jean de Meun Burne-Jones and Morris visited the Bodleian library to look at manuscripts while they were students, so that from an early age they were aware of this script.
The first series is currently in the collection of Lord Lloyd-Webber, the second series are in Birmingham's collection.The overall composition of this sketch and the two later oils are basically the same, with a few minor differences. The first is the vase to the left of Pygmalion's hand, which does not appear in either oil version. Also, the sculpture has a sprig of myrtle or laurel in her hands, which Burne-Jones has omitted from its oil counterparts. Lastly, this study lacks a fountain seen through the window in the centre of the drawing, and the circular pattern of the glass is continued throughout the window, rather than just comprising a third of the window panes as in the paintings.
Three frames of eleven pencil designs for wood blocks, on tracing paper. Drawn for an illustrated edition of “The Earthly Paradise”, never carried out. “A man of Cyprus, named Pygmalion, made an image of a woman fairer than any that had yet been seen, and in the end came to love his own handiwork as though it had been alive; wherefore, praying to Venus for help, he obtained his end, for she made the image alive indeed, and a Woman, and Pygmalion wedded her.” – The Earthly Paradise.