The age-herald., 1898-06-23
England's Poet Painter,
 Sir Edward Burne-Iones

!. Sir Edward Burne-Jones When Sir Edward Burne-Jones died re- gently at London, England lost her most accomplished man in the world of art He was one of the most notable opponents of the romantic school, and since the death of Dante Rossetti was the most dstn- guished poetical painter of Great Britain. He began to study art not very early in life, and was always conscientious, diligent and painstaking. He was an ardent, devoted member of the Pre-Raphaelte Brother hood, and his object and aim was to pro- duce such work as would assist in the movement in the direction of romanticsm. A correspondent of a Chicago exchange in writing of him says:
 Sir Edward Burne-Jones was born of Welsh parents in 1883, in Birmingham. He coupled modification of the name Berin, a kinsman, with the family name inAorder to distinguish himself from the numerous Joneses. There was apparently nothing in his boyhood to indicate the enthusiasm for art which became his life passion. He re- ceived the usual preliminary schooling, leading to the university. He had taste for classical literature, especially phiology, in which he was a noted scholar. He went to Oxford with the intention of/ entering the church. The late William Morris, also Welshman, entered college on the same day, also intending to enter the ministry. Tn two men became firm friends. Soon after entering Oxford both men met the man who was to exercise a supreme in nuence over their lvs-Dante Rossetti.
 The poet-painter deeply impressed both Burne-Jones and William Morris. Gradual ly the two men abandoned the idea of ec- clesiastical life, and both determined to turn to art. Burne-Jones went to London in 1855, and became the pupil of Rossetti. He had not finished his course at Oxford and his leaving the university sorely tried his father. The question of living then confronted him, but Rossetti felt confident of his ultimate success, and advised him to adopt art as a profession. In the early days when Burnes-Jone was struggling with his new muse, Rossetti found employment for him with the London Illustrated News, and he also put him in the way to get com- missions for designs for stained glass win dows Ruskin became his friend and ad- viser and lent him drawings and designs for study Solitary study with long peri ods of observation of Rossetti at work, con- sttuted the art education of Sir Edward Burne-Jones.
 The spiritual in Burnes-Jones' works al- ways dominates the physical. A Venus from his hand has none of the sensuous charm of nudity. She is costumed in rich, clinging draperies and has all the air of a Christian martyr as she stands amid pine
  ments at her feet. His women are not earthly. Love and passion are unknown to them. They have the beauty of angels. He has great faculty of expression and power to interpret his poetcal and classical thoughts; and he presents his lovely ideas so clearly that the observer is permitted to catch glimpse of his very soul. Rousetti $ Virgins are dazzling and almost cruel in their alluring beauty; their eyes gleam with the light of human love.
 Sir Edward Burne-Jones earlier efforts were characterized by great simplicity. His later pictures are complex in their decorative arrangements. His range of subjects is extensive, and each year his work has gained in subtlety and expres- sion. His themes were taken from class- cal antiquity, the Bible, Christian legends, and he at times abandoned all attempts to introduce ideas and confined himself to the simple grouping of figures, by means or which he produced the most beautiful com position. Burne-Jones' pictures like those of Rosettfs, found their way In secrecy and by their merit into public favor. Nat urally the English public was at first slow to appreciate the charm of his pictures, but today when canvases by his hand are placed on exhibition they are not only given the place of honor, but crowds of admirers gather before them. Burne-Jones' works are well known to the American pub lie, chiefly through their reproductions in black and white; original works by him have seldom been on exhibition in the United States.
 Sir Edward Burne-Jones was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1885, Among his strongest compositions were "The Brier Rose.'' King Cophetua," "The Sirens" "The Wheel of Fortune" "The Creation' "The Annunciation' and "Dies Domini." His finest example of stained glass is the St. Cecilia window in Christ church. Oxford. He as well made name for himself as a mosaicist of the first rank