Artwork
Woman up a Ladder Smelling Blossom
Woman up a Ladder Smelling Blossom is an oil painting by Edward Burne-Jones. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Woman up a Ladder Smelling Blossom (1860) is an oil painting by Edward Burne-Jones, showcasing characteristics of the Pre-Raphaelite style. The work depicts a serene scene of a woman on a ladder, immersed in smelling blossoms, set against a muted, textured background.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a moment of contemplative intimacy, as the woman, with long blonde hair and dressed in a dark blue and pink attire, leans forward in a pose conveying calm and serenity. The focus on her sensory experience reflects the period's romantic and introspective themes.
Technique & Style
Burne-Jones employs a muted, atmospheric palette and soft brushstrokes, characteristic of his early work under the influence of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The careful attention to detail, especially in the woman's pose and the interplay of colors, marks a transitional phase towards his distinct approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1860, the painting is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. Burne-Jones, later a key figure in Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., was initially influenced by Rossetti before developing his unique style.
Context
The work reflects the Victorian era's fascination with medieval and romantic subjects, characterized by dreamy, detailed scenes. It aligns with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's emphasis on beauty, emotion, and the everyday as worthy of artistic expression.
Legacy
While not individually renowned as some of Burne-Jones's later works, *Woman up a Ladder Smelling Blossom* contributes to the broader legacy of Pre-Raphaelite art, illustrating the movement's themes and aesthetic evolution during its formative period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1st Baronet (; 28 August 1833 – 17 June 1898) was an English painter and designer associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's style and subject matter.
