Graphite on paper
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/sir-edward-coley-burne-jones-bt-68" aria-label="More by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt</a>
Virgin and Child Star Bethlehem
Presented by Lord Duveen 1925
actions: postures and motions
adults
baby
Bible: New Testament
children
Christ
family
mother and child
Nativity
people
religion and belief
sitting
society
Virgin Mary
woman
<p>In 1887 Burne-Jones produced a design depicting the Adoration of the Kings at Christ's Nativity, entitled 'The Star of Bethlehem' The subject was first realised as a large tapestry for Exeter College, Oxford (1890). But while work on the tapestry was still in hand at Merton Abbey, Burne-Jones was commissioned to make a replica in watercolours by the Corporation of Birmingham. Although Burne-Jones's christian faith was shaken (if not altogether lost) while he was a student at Oxford, he retained a profound sense of spirituality. When asked if he believed in the story of the Nativity, as he worked on the watercolour for Birmingham, he professed the view that it was 'too beautiful not to be true'.</p><p><em>Gallery label, August 2004</em></p>
paper unique graphite
1 July 2012 – 30 October 2012
2012-10-30
1 July 2012 – 30 October 2012
2012-10-30
2012-07-01
Society of Antiquaries -Kelmscott Manor (Kelmscott, UK)
2012-07-01
Reciprocal loan for Pre-Raphaelite Avant-Garde
Loan-out
Study of the Virgin and Child for ‘The Star of Bethlehem’
support: 268 × 153 mm
Presented by Lord Duveen 1925
<p>In 1887 Burne-Jones produced a design depicting the Adoration of the Kings at Christ's Nativity, entitled 'The Star of Bethlehem' The subject was first realised as a large tapestry for Exeter College, Oxford (1890). But while work on the tapestry was still in hand at Merton Abbey, Burne-Jones was commissioned to make a replica in <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/w/watercolour" title="Glossary definition for 'Watercolour'"><span>watercolours</span></a> by the Corporation of Birmingham. Although Burne-Jones's christian faith was shaken (if not altogether lost) while he was a student at Oxford, he retained a profound sense of spirituality. When asked if he believed in the story of the Nativity, as he worked on the watercolour for Birmingham, he professed the view that it was 'too beautiful not to be true'.</p>
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2004-08-18T00:00:00
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actions: postures and motions adults baby Bible: New Testament children Christ family mother and child Nativity people religion and belief sitting society Virgin Mary woman