British artist and designer (1833–1898) closely associated with the later phase of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. ALS signed “EB.J,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.25 x 6.5, personal letterhead, July 14, 1887. Letter to English actress Ellen Terry, in part: “So in default I send you a little sign of my homage and admiration: I made it purposely for you, which is its only excellence, and thought nothing but gold good enough for you to paint with—and now it is done I am woefully disappointed—it looks such a poor little wretch of a thing, and there is not time to make another before you go—not holding it up to the light, but putting it in a corner—and never shewing it…But I wanted it to be so different and my old eyes cannot help me to finish as I want.” Nicely double-matted and framed with a portrait of the painter at his easel to an overall size of 19.5 x 12.75, with a window on the reverse for viewing the inside of the letter and the original envelope. In fine condition, with scattered soiling (most noticeable to the pages on the reverse). Burne-Jones was an avid admirer of Terry, and after having watched her in Amber Heart on three different occasions, he described her performance as ‘not acting—it is a glimpse of Nature itself.’ The actress soon became a source of artistic inspiration for Burne-Jones, who designed Terry’s costumes for her 1895 role in King Arthur. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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