The Garden Court; from The Briar Rose Series

This painting is a version of the third of four large works illustrating the fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty'. The complete series now hangs at Buscot Park in Berkshire. William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones' lifelong friend and colleague, composed a verse for each scene and for this one he wrote: 'The maiden pleasance of the land, Knoweth no stir of voice or hand, No cup the sleeping waters fill, The restless shuttle lieth still.' Burne-Jones had first met Morris while at Oxford University. As well as becoming a successful painter, Burne-Jones was to design many outstanding stained glass windows and tapestries for Morris & Co.