Study for 'The Mirror of Venus': Kneeling Female Figure

Art Historical Context

This delicate graphite study by Sir Edward Burne-Jones created around 1873–77, captures a kneeling female figure as preparatory work for his larger painting *The Mirror of Venus*. Burne-Jones, a leading figure in the Pre-Raphaelite and later the Aesthetic Movement, was renowned for his ethereal, dreamlike depictions of idealized women drawn from classical mythology and medieval romance. Here, the poised pose hints at the contemplative beauty of Venus and her nymphs gazing into a reflective pool, a theme exploring vanity, harmony, and feminine grace. Executed on ivory wove paper—a smooth, high-quality support ideal for fine graphite details—the drawing showcases Burne-Jones's masterful technique. With subtle shading and precise linework, he refines anatomy and drapery folds, building volume and softness typical of his preparatory sketches. These studies were crucial to his process, allowing experimentation before committing to oil on canvas, and reveal the meticulous planning behind his opulent Victorian visions. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this 25.3 × 17.8 cm gem offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the artist's studio world, bridging the gap between sketch and masterpiece in an era when such drawings were prized by collectors for their poetic intimacy.

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...