The Tree of Forgiveness-Edward Burne-Jones

In case anybody is wondering what all the fuss is about, regarding beauty/ Pre-Raphaelites,  I thought I would post my all time favourite picture.

I discovered this artist when I was studying Geography (both scientific-Hydrology,ecology and conservation, as well as arts orientated) at Durham.  Having worked very hard  at school, to make up for appalling teaching I had sickened myself of Geography- so spent most of my time at uni, first time round, reading  Modern Art History books, plays and Russian novels..........as you do....but wouldn't now!!!
Came across this picture in Mugwump, a card shop in Durham that is still going strong today (card and gift have been my thing for a very long time). As a result I became a fan of B-J and his fellow artists, mainly due to their amazing lifestyles, rather than some of their Art.  I still am as enthralled by the Pre-Raphaelites group today as I was when I first discovered them................if reincarnation were true then I must have been a Victorian !!!!

I am not someone who particularly  likes nudes, although I have enjoyed doing life drawing in the past. An earlier version of the  picture caused a furore when it was first exhibited.  Although it had been ok to paint full fontal women nudes this was the first time a full frontal male had been exhibited. B-J withdrew his picture and reworked into this MUCH  better, chaster version.  Another reason the earlier version caused problems was because the woman was so obviously his mistress Maria Zambuco.  This later version is a more generalised female and the male has a wisp of gauze to cover his offending parts!!!!!!!!

What I love about the picture is the wonderful white blossom, the beautiful models and the look of intense emotion passing between the two figures, as well as the legend it is based on ( Phyllis and Demophoon-the woman was turned into a tree by the gods, when she thought she had been abandoned, but regained human form when her lover returned after all -ahhhh!!!:-) ) I also like the da vinci and Michaelangelo elements/influences. Foregiveness is a concept I wholeheartedly and finally embrace after a dreadful divorce and many years of being unable to..........


Well, you either love or hate this kind of thing but if you love it and want to find out more there are many internet sites devoted to this group and it's individual artists- first, second and third wave. My favourites are B-J, William and Waterhouse , all their pictures are beautiful, mainly based on lovely old legends stories and poems, incredibly detailed,and painted in wonderful colours.