Tempera 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>
Tantalus
Bequeathed by A.N. MacNicholl 1916
<p>According to Greek myth, Tantalus tried to trick the gods. They condemned him to stand for eternity in a pool beneath a tree heavy with fruit. Much as he tried, he could never reach far enough to eat or drink.</p><p>The design was one of eight, made to decorate a grand piano for William Graham, MP. They were linked by the story of Orpheus - whose music charmed all who heard it - and his descent into the Underworld in a failed attempt to rescue his wife Eurydice.</p><p><em>Gallery label, October 2013</em></p>
paper unique tempera
3 May 2013 – 29 March 2015
2015-03-29
3 May 2013 – 29 March 2015
2015-03-29
2013-05-03
Tate Britain (London, UK)
http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/
2013-05-03
Gallery 8
Collection based display
14 December 2018 – 19 September 2021
2021-09-19
14 December 2018 – 28 April 2019
2019-04-28
2018-12-14
National Gallery of Australia (Canberra, Australia)
2018-12-14
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
Tate partnerships & programmes
Tantalus
support: 258 × 257 mm
Bequeathed by A.N. MacNicholl 1916
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<p>According to Greek myth, Tantalus tried to trick the gods. They condemned him to stand for eternity in a pool beneath a tree heavy with fruit. Much as he tried, he could never reach far enough to eat or drink.  </p>
<p>The design was one of eight, made to decorate a grand piano for William Graham, MP. They were linked by the story of Orpheus - whose music charmed all who heard it - and his descent into the Underworld in a failed attempt to rescue his wife Eurydice.</p>
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2013-10-29T00:00:00
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