Edward Coley Burne-Jones "Daybreak or Nuages plumeux or Lake and sky"
Burne-Jones, born in Birmingham in 1833, typifies English painters of the second half of the nineteenth century. He embarked on a study of theology at Exeter College, Oxford, but decided to become an artist after reading a book in about 1854-55 by John Ruskin, patron of the Pre-Raphaelites. In 1856 he met Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the leading Pre-Raphaelites, and began to study under him.
This influence is conspicuous in his many subsequent works, which are filled with a sense of mystery and introspection. At the end of the century this movement evolved into Art Nouveau, which exerted a considerable influence on Japanese art and culture in the Meiji period. This pastel drawing has three titles: Daybreak in Japanese, Nuages plumeux (Feathery clouds) in French and Lake and sky in English. Perhaps the French title best captures the impression the work leaves on the viewer.
In a mystical novel, Theodore Watts-Dunton, a friend of D.G. Rossetti, introduces a character named Winnie. She believes that a cloud shaped like a golden feather or a golden hand will bring good luck to those who see it. Looking at this picture, we can imagine that it depicts that moment of hope, when the sun is about to rise and its rays may give the feathery cloud a golden hue. For this reason, the Japanese title Daybreak, too, seems to be apposite. However, we can hardly discern the lake from the sky.
Click picture for larger view.(69.6KB)
Edward Coley Burne-Jones
(1833-1898)
Daybreak or Nuages plumeux or Lake and sky
Pastel on paper mounted on canvas
90×213cm
