Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones
English, 1833-1898

St. Matthew, 1873
Pencil and chalk

St. Matthew pauses to gather his recollections, as an angel watches over his work. The Evangelist writes with a quill in a book, resting on his bent knee. St. Matthew is nearly life-size in this stunning, large preparatory drawing for a stained-glass window, commissioned by the artist's close friend, William Morris. Morris & Company was the most important maker of church windows in 19^th century England. Detailed notes are included in the drawing, indicating color directions: “full ruby” to the left of Matthew, and “grey blue” on his right knee. These rich colors are realized in the finished window. This composition was so successful that it was used in at least three different stained-glass windows. Burne-Jones was part of a collective of English artists called the Pre-Raphaelites, who sought social change, looking to the medieval and Renaissance periods for stylistic and spiritual inspiration.