Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S.

The artist's first studio sale: Christie's, London, 16 July 1898, probably lot 201 'Head of a Girl, 1896, chalk 17.5 by 11.5in.' sold for £50 to McLean
Sale: Christie's, London, 5 June 1984, lot 166
Purchased at the above sale by the father of the present owners

Paris, Works by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, 1897

'The technique that Burne-Jones uses in this drawing, i.e. the coarse texture of the red chalk and the linear structure of the face suggests it is one that would enable a transference onto canvas. Another drawing made from this model at the same sitting (Portrait Head study of a Woman in profile Sotheby's Belgravia, 10 July 1973 lot 32 £750 to Piccadilly Gallery) became the basis for one of the Sea Nymphs in the second version of The Arming of Perseus, Perseus and the Nereids, Perseus Series. The present drawing is therefore linked with the later version in which a new young model was chosen consistent with the story. This particular drawing was not made to contribute to the painting but to familiarise the artist with the model's features.' (Sarah and Bill Waters, www.eb-j.org, 14 December 2021)

We are grateful to The Burne-Jones Catalogue Raisonné Foundation www.eb-j.org for their assistance authenticating and cataloguing this lot