Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833-1898)

Sir Edward Burne-Jones (the professional name of EDWARD COLEY JONES) was born in Birmingham and educated at the University of Oxford. He is probably the most recognised and influential of the Pre-Raphaelites. His work is characterised by a dreamlike romanticized style and the look of the women who feature prominently in virtually every piece. He is also renowned for his use of vivid colour and fondness for architectural structures.

Burne-Jones was strongly influenced by the artistic styles of the Italian Renaissance and was trained by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. In addition to portraits and many unique works based on mythology and Arthurian legend, he worked as an illustrator in both black and white and colour.

Because much of his painting work was for speciality publication in very limited print runs, many of his published pieces were not widely circulated and are extremely hard to find.
Burne-Jones also designed stained-glass windows, mosaics, and tapestries for the firm run by his Oxford friend the poet and artist William Morris. His windows can be seen in many English churches, including Christ Church, Oxford, and Birmingham Cathedral. He was knighted in 1894.