Edward Burne-Jones, Love and the Pilgrim (1896–97). © Tate

Edward Burne-Jones: The Pre-Raphaelites and the North

We are pleased to announce Edward Burne-Jones: The Pre-Raphaelites and the North– the first monographic show on the artist ever in Scandinavia – which will be shown at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Stockholm fall 2019 and KODE – Art Museums and Composers Homes, Bergen spring 2020; organised by NIA – Nordic Institute of Art and the two museums, in collaboration with Tate Britain. 

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833–1898) is one of the key figures of British art in the latter half of the 19th century; being one of the leading artists of the Pre-Raphaelite movement as well as a pioneer of European Symbolism. Together with designer and social reformer William Morris, he was also a prominent member of the Arts & Crafts movement and a forerunner of modern design. Though Burne-Jones is recognised as a leading British and European artist, this will be the first monographic exhibition on the artist in Scandinavia, introducing him to a new audience. The exhibition and its accompanying catalogue will also explore Burne-Jones’ impact on Scandinavian art and design.

The exhibition is organised in close collaboration with Tate Britain, which this winter presents Edward Burne-Jones in London, the first major show on the artist for many years. Director of Tate Britain, Alex Farquharson, says about the Scandinavian tour: ‘Tate is delighted to be supporting the Edward Burne-Jones exhibition at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Stockholm, and KODE – Art Museums and Composers Homes, Bergen. This is a fantastic opportunity to present the work of one the great British artists to a new audience in Scandinavia. Over thirty masterpieces usually on display in London at Tate Britain, the home of British art from 1500 to the present day, are being lent to this landmark exhibition. Renowned for otherworldly depictions of beauty inspired by myth, legend and the Bible, Burne-Jones was a pioneer of the symbolist movement and the only Pre-Raphaelite to achieve world-wide recognition in his lifetime. We are grateful to the Nordic Institute for Art (NIA) for their assistance in achieving this collaboration.’

The first venue on the Scandinavian tour will be Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Stockholm (14 September 2019 – 26 January 2020). Director Karin Sidén says: ‘The exhibition offers a unique opportunity for our audience to explore the paintings, drawings and textiles of Edward Burne-Jones, as well as his impact on Scandinavian art and design. It will be a striking show, curated in collaboration with leading scholars on the artist and the Pre-Raphaelite movement.’ There is a connection between Burne-Jones and Waldemarsudde, Dr. Sidén explains: ‘The exhibition will be perfect in our programme as Prince Eugen (1865– 1947), the painter and the founder of our museum, was influenced by the Symbolist movement and even met Edward Burne-Jones in London in the spring of 1896.’

The exhibition goes on to KODE – Art Museums and Composers Homes, Bergen (15 February – 31 May 2020). Director Petter Snare states: ‘We are proud to introduce one of the greatest European artists of the late 19th century for the very first time in Scandinavia; a project that also reflects the international ambitions of our museum.’ KODE Bergen is known for one of the world’s finest collections of Edvard Munch Norway’s ‘painter of the soul’, and Mr Snare adds: ‘We find it appropriate to present the symbolist pioneer Edward Burne-Jones in the same museum as the works of our own Edvard Munch.'

Edward Burne-Jones: The Pre-Raphaelites and the North will consist of some 50 works, most of which are being lent by Tate Britain, with other works coming from other museums and private collections in UK and Europe. The exhibition has been initiated by Dr Alison Smith (former Lead Curator Tate Britain, today Chief Curator National Portrait Gallery, as well as an Associate Fellow of NIA) and Dr Knut Ljøgodt (Director NIA). They will also act as the exhibition’s curators, together with Dr Karin Sidén (Waldemarsudde) and Collections Director Line Daatland (KODE). 

In a joint statement, Alison Smith and Knut Ljøgodt say: ‘Edward Burne-Jones is one of the greatest visionary artists of the 19th century. To introduce his art to Scandinavia is the fulfilment of a long-time dream. We are happy that Burne-Jones will be presented at such distinguished institutions as Waldemarsudde and KODE, in close collaboration with Tate Britain and Nordic Institute of Art.’