Artwork
La Belle au bois dormant
La Belle au bois dormant is a print by the Impressionist artist Edward Coley, Sir Burne-Jones. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La Belle au bois dormant is a collotype print on light brown wove paper, produced in 1894 by Edward Coley Burne-Jones. It translates a scene from the Sleeping Beauty legend into a quiet, contemplative image. Unlike painted versions, this print relies on tonal gradations to evoke mood rather than color, emphasizing stillness and introspection over narrative action.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman lying asleep amid a dense thicket of trees and foliage, her posture relaxed and face serene. The scene references the fairy tale of a princess entranced by a curse, but Burne-Jones omits dramatic elements like thorns or princes. Instead, the focus is on solitude and suspended time, suggesting a meditative state beyond the reach of the waking world.
Technique & Style
As a collotype, the work uses a photomechanical process to achieve subtle tonal transitions across the paper surface. Burne-Jones favored this method for its capacity to render soft shadows and delicate textures. The composition avoids stark chiaroscuro, favoring even, diffused light that unifies the figure with the surrounding vegetation, enhancing the dreamlike atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1894, this print was part of Burne-Jones’s late engagement with mythological themes and reproductive printmaking. It was likely issued in a limited run, intended for private collectors rather than public display. The choice of collotype reflects his interest in accessible, high-fidelity reproductions of his designs during a period when his work was widely admired in artistic circles.
Context
In the 1890s, Burne-Jones was deeply immersed in Arthurian and fairy-tale subjects, aligning with broader Aesthetic Movement ideals that prioritized beauty and emotional resonance over moral or historical clarity. This print emerged alongside his mural work and stained-glass designs, reflecting a consistent visual language rooted in medievalism and lyrical quietude.
Legacy
La Belle au bois dormant exemplifies Burne-Jones’s influence on Symbolist and early modern printmaking. While not widely exhibited in his lifetime, the print’s restrained aesthetic contributed to later appreciation of his ability to convey psychological depth through subtle form and tone. It remains a quiet testament to his enduring fascination with myth as a vessel for inner experience.
Artist & collection
