About this lot
Description
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (British, 1833-1898) An album of 83 letters written by Sir Edward Burne-Jones to Agnes Graham (1861-1937) between 1876 and 1894, including 20 of which with amusing illustrations or doodles by Burne-Jones, and 3 extra leaves of single figure pencil sketches. The album also includes one letter to William Graham, his patron, and one to Herbert Jekyll, Agnes' husband. Agnes Graham was the younger daughter of Burne-Jones' patron, William Graham, and the letters are written in an intimate and caring, emotional and often effusive manner, clearly showing the depth of fatherly feeling he felt for Agnes - both well before and after her marriage to Herbert Jekyll. The majority of the letters have Agnes' pencil dates added, as none are dated by their author. Burne-Jones usually addresses her 'Dear Aggie' or 'Dear little Aggie' and signs himself 'EBJ' until 1892 - whereafter he tends to use the name 'Angelo' or just 'A'. The letters sometimes mention her sister, Frances, who had been a model for the artist, and with whom he had had an infatuation. He occasionally talks of pictures he is working on, colleagues or friends including Ruskin, his and his family's health and trips, but above all, he writes to Agnes in a conversational way - either in answer to a letter from her, or, more often, craving her news whether about her travels, her family and her own young children, or her views on some subject he raises. Burne-Jones portrays himself as a hard-working artist often beset by ailments, and in need of emotional support through Agnes' friendship and letters. From the many letters, the following are just a few of the noteworthy passages or excerpts that reveal something of Burne-Jones' character or mindset: July 1876, writing to Agnes in Italy '... I ought to have given you some lessons how to control and frustrate the imperious and rash will of that imperial lady your sister...' August 1876 'Rain letters upon me, because I am going to be very dull and have nothing to do but think of my sins...' September 1876, referring to artistic matters, 'Tomorrow I speak in Hyde Park to a deputation of the Clerkenwell Commune on the Eastern Question, and on Monday on the same matter at Whitechapel... and my mornings are spent designing banners. The School of Art Needlework people have refused to work them, and I only want you and Frances to cart them out.'
Provenance: Agnes Graham (1861-1937) and by direct descent
Some of the letters are partly stuck to album leaves, whilst others are loose. A few have been trimmed.
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