Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 25: The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon

by Edward Burne-Jones

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

In Arthurian legend, the great King Arthur never died. Instead, he remained in a deep slumber until his nation needed him most. Edward Burne-Jones' 'The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon' shows a mortally wounded King Arthur lying under a canopy on a bench in Avalon. Mourning women in flowing robes surround him. Some women play instruments such as dulcimers and a harp. Queen Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's sister, gently cradles his head upon her lap. While painting 'The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon,' Burne-Jones became so obsessed with his work he called himself Arthur and slept in the same pose as Arthur in the painting. Burne-Jones worked on the painting during the last years of his own life. He died before he could finish the painting. Look closely, and you'll see that some of the instruments have no strings. The painting is enormous, measuring over nine feet high and 21 feet long. The image below is only the central portion of the full painting.

Vocabulary

Slumber: Another word for sleep.
Canopy: An ornamental covering hung or held up over something, especially a throne or bed.
Mourning: The expression of deep sorrow for someone who has died.

Concepts

1. British artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones was born in 1833 in Birmingham, England.

2. Zoom in and find Burne-Jones' country of birth on the map of Europe.

3. His mother died when he was only days old, leaving his upbringing to his father and their housekeeper.
4. Although Burne-Jones studied theology and originally wished to become a church minister, he later turned to art.
5. His artworks included paintings, stained glass, ceramic tiles, jewelry, tapestries, and mosaics. Burne-Jones often painted subjects from literature.
6. He died in London, England in 1898 at the age of 64.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• King Arthur
• Queen Morgan le Fay
• Harp
• King's Crown
• Flowers
• Grass
• Bench
• Canopy

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

• After studying the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 33 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are King Arthur, Queen Morgan le Fay, and mourning women.

1 / 4

Question 2

What are the characters doing?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The characters are mourning the death of King Arthur.

2 / 4

Question 3

What is the setting of the painting?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The setting is outdoors, near grass and flowers.

3 / 4

Question 4

How many women are in the painting?

4 / 4

Answer 4

There are eight women in the painting.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The characters are King Arthur, Queen Morgan le Fay, and mourning women.
2. What are the characters doing? The characters are mourning the death of King Arthur.
3. What is the setting of the painting? The setting is outdoors, near grass and flowers.
4. How many women are in the painting? There are eight women in the painting.

References

'Edward Burne-Jones.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.