The Star of Bethlehem represents the Adoration of the Magi. The subject was designed as a tapestry in 1887 and woven in 1890 by Morris and company for the chapel of Exeter College, Oxford, Morris and Burne-Jones's old college.(1) In 1888 Burne-Jones was also commissioned to produce a large watercolour version of the subject for the New Art Gallery of his native city, Birmingham. This was completed in 1891, revealing that the present drawing was made at the end of the sequence of work. Alternatively, as it is reproduced as a Hollyer photograph (Witt Library and in the album in the present catalogue) before the addition of monogram and date, Burne-Jones may have dated it some time after its completion and forgotten the exact year it was made. The drawing, made in two tones of chalk, has a marked sense of volume, characteristic of Burne-Jones's drawings at this time. The addition of the dark background wash intensifies the roundness of the figure. 1. The tapestry reproduced in Arts Council of Great Britain 1975, Burne-Jones, (catalogue of the exhibition by John Christian), number 226.