Caricature of Two Men (one of them possibly Edward Burne-Jones)

Art Historical Context

This intimate caricature by Sir Edward Burne-Jones captures two men in a lighthearted moment, rendered in quick pen-and-black-ink strokes on everyday writing paper. Created sometime between 1850 and 1890, the small sheet—measuring just under seven inches tall—offers a glimpse into the playful side of an artist best known for his richly colored, dreamlike paintings in the Pre-Raphaelite tradition. One figure may represent Burne-Jones himself, suggesting the drawing could be a self-portrait or a private joke shared with friends. Though Burne-Jones’s public work often explored medieval legends and ethereal beauty, this sketch reveals his skill with economical line and gentle humor. The informal medium and modest scale indicate it was likely made spontaneously, perhaps as a doodle during correspondence or a studio gathering, rather than as a finished piece for exhibition. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013 through the Brooke Russell Astor Bequest, the drawing adds a personal dimension to our understanding of the artist and the lively artistic circles of Victorian Britain.

About the Artist

Sir Edward Burne-Jones · 1833–1898

Edward Coley Burne-Jones was born on 28 August 1833 in Birmingham, the son of a frame-maker, and lost his mother within a week of his birth. He attended King Edward VI Grammar School and the Birmingham School of Art before proceeding to Exeter College, Oxford, in 1852, intending to study theology. At Oxford he formed a lifelong friendship with William Morris, and the two young men became intoxicat...