English painter, designer, and illustrator Sir Edward Burne-Jones is one of the most well known of the second generation Pre-Raphaelite artists. Born in Birmingham, Burne-Jones mother died six days after giving birth. In his grief his father blamed the child for the death of his wife and was unable to touch the boy until he had reached the age of four. Having no siblings the lonely child escaped to the world of drawing.
Burne-Jones studied theology at Exeter College in Oxford where he met fellow poet and artist William Morris. The two read the writings of Ruskin and studied and the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites, deciding to devote their lives to art. In 1856, he met Dante Gabriel Rossetti in London, who became the single greatest influence on directing Burne-Jones art. For a time he studied under Rossetti, sharing Rossetti's concern with purity of form and adherence to accurate detail.
In 1860, Burne-Jones married Georgiana Macdonald, her face can be seen in many early works such as The Golden Stairs. Known for her quiet strength, Georgiana provided a balance to the artists high strung personality. He was also a partner in the firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co along with William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Madox Brown, and Phillip Webb. 'The Firm', as it was called, began in 1860 and produced interior design, high quality furnishings, stained glass, metal work, tiles, and tapestries. Rossetti and Madox Brown both resigned from the company in 1874.
In the well publicized trial of Whistler vs Ruskin over Ruskin's criticisms of Whistler's Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket, Burne-Jones appeared in Ruskin's behalf. A passionate love affair with Greek sculptress Maria Zambaco brought Burne-Jones precariously close to tragedy when Zambaco suggested a suicide pact between the two Burne-Jones attempted to end the affair. It is unclear if he was successful.
Edward Burne-Jones was elected to the Royal Academy in 1890 but resigned after three years. He designed stained-glass windows, mosaics, and tapestries along with book illustrations under his professional name of Edward Coley Jones. His designs, along with his medieval crafts style, paved the way for the Arts Nouveau movement. Burne-Jones was knighted in 1894.
