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Celebrated British artist's drawing to go on sale at Bonhams Celebrated British artist's drawing to go on sale at Bonhams
(1 day later)
A rarely seen pencil study that was subsequently translated into one of Edward Burne-Jones's most important and celebrated works is to appear at auction this month.A rarely seen pencil study that was subsequently translated into one of Edward Burne-Jones's most important and celebrated works is to appear at auction this month.
Bonhams in London said it was selling the artist's beautiful 1871 drawing The Days of Creation, which features six panels of solemn angels carrying crystal globes portraying the biblical story as described in Genesis, from light and darkness dividing to Adam and Eve.Bonhams in London said it was selling the artist's beautiful 1871 drawing The Days of Creation, which features six panels of solemn angels carrying crystal globes portraying the biblical story as described in Genesis, from light and darkness dividing to Adam and Eve.
Birmingham-born Burne-Jones, a central figure of the later Pre-Raphaelites and leading light of the Aesthetic Movement, later created a much bigger painted version. The painting was exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery in London in 1877 to much acclaim and helped re-establish his rather tarnished reputation.Birmingham-born Burne-Jones, a central figure of the later Pre-Raphaelites and leading light of the Aesthetic Movement, later created a much bigger painted version. The painting was exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery in London in 1877 to much acclaim and helped re-establish his rather tarnished reputation.
The finished Days of Creation now hangs in Harvard University's Fogg Museum, although the fourth panel has been missing since it was stolen in 1970.The finished Days of Creation now hangs in Harvard University's Fogg Museum, although the fourth panel has been missing since it was stolen in 1970.
The pencil study is important because of its theme, its eventual owner and for the fact that it has only appeared in public once, when it was sold at auction in 1973. "It is very powerful when you're in front of it – the lines are so strong," said Charles O'Connor, Bonhams's director of 19th-century paintings. "It is a fantastic example of Burne-Jones at his best." The pencil study is important because of its theme, its eventual owner and for the fact that it has only appeared in public once, when it was sold at auction in 1973. "It is very powerful when you're in front of it – the lines are so strong," said Charles O'Brien, Bonhams's director of 19th-century paintings. "It is a fantastic example of Burne-Jones at his best."
The Days of Creation pencil work, very much a piece in its own right – it was not a preparatory study – was clearly a work close to Burne-Jones's heart. He gave it to his very good friend Aglaia Coronio, who became one of the most recognised Pre-Raphaelite muses. Coronio cut her own throat with a pair of scissors in 1906, a suicide prompted partly by the death of her daughter Calliope.The Days of Creation pencil work, very much a piece in its own right – it was not a preparatory study – was clearly a work close to Burne-Jones's heart. He gave it to his very good friend Aglaia Coronio, who became one of the most recognised Pre-Raphaelite muses. Coronio cut her own throat with a pair of scissors in 1906, a suicide prompted partly by the death of her daughter Calliope.
"There is such a tragic story attached to the original owner of this work, it makes the drawing all the more poignant," said O'Connor. "There is such a tragic story attached to the original owner of this work, it makes the drawing all the more poignant," said O'Brien.
Most of Coronio's estate and art collection – 35 paintings and 12 drawings – was quickly sold, but The Days of Creation was not included. Instead, it was acquired by Coronio's niece Zoe Ionides, in whose family it remained until 1973, when it briefly appeared to be sold for the only time at auction. It has remained out of public view until now.Most of Coronio's estate and art collection – 35 paintings and 12 drawings – was quickly sold, but The Days of Creation was not included. Instead, it was acquired by Coronio's niece Zoe Ionides, in whose family it remained until 1973, when it briefly appeared to be sold for the only time at auction. It has remained out of public view until now.
"It is a work pertinent and close to Burne-Jones," said O'Connor. "That's why we're excited about it. Very often the provenance can be mysterious, or they've been around a lot and are known to the market. This work hasn't been seen since 1973 and prior to that had never been offered at auction as far as we are aware." "It is a work pertinent and close to Burne-Jones," said O'Brien. "That's why we're excited about it. Very often the provenance can be mysterious, or they've been around a lot and are known to the market. This work hasn't been seen since 1973 and prior to that had never been offered at auction as far as we are aware."
The work is expected to fetch £150,000-£200,000 when it is sold at Bonhams on 23 January.The work is expected to fetch £150,000-£200,000 when it is sold at Bonhams on 23 January.
• This article was amended on 7 January 2013 to correct the name of Charles O'Brien from Charles O'Connor.