THE BRIAR ROSE SERIES (1890) † NCM 1900-603 † NCM 1900-605 In the final image ‘The Rose Bower’, we see the princess sleeping, yet again based on the likeness of his daughter Margaret. It is interesting that we do not see the action of the curse being broken; there is no depiction of a kiss. The briar is much more delicate in this scene, as if it is only just making its way into the palace. The vines look like fingers, with one seemingly trying to infiltrate the jewellery box. The silver bells on the hem of the bed sheet indicate that there once was noise and movement but now everything is still; a locked moment in time.
This series of paintings is based on the French author Charles Perrault’s (1628-1703) fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. All works in this series represent a single moment in time. There are four paintings in the series, of which we are showing two. In the first work, which is entitled ‘The Briar Wood’ the knight is shown standing hesitantly before the fallen knights who have failed before him. The briar is thick and overgrown, indicating that a considerable amount of time has passed. The vines have removed the shields and helmets from the fallen knights almost as trophies of victory and conquest. The fallen knights appear effeminate, reflecting the use of female models who included Jane Morris, the wife of William Morris, Georgiana Burne-Jones and his former mistress Maria Zambaco.
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