Lot Essay
The Printseller's Association (1912), in which the title is given as Venus's Mirror, records an edition, declared 24 July 1896, of 400 artist's proofs on vellum at 10 guineas and 25 presentation proofs. There was no other state and the plate was destroyed. A copy of this print was exhibited at Burne-Jones's memorial exhibition at the New Gallery, 1898-99, no. 229.
The painting was one of those which made such a sensation when shown at the first Grovesnor Gallery exhibition in 1877, bringing Burne-Jones fame overnight. It was bought by the Liverpool shipping magnate, Frederick Leyland, forming part of the famous 'aesthetic' interiors he created at 23 Queen's Gate and later at 49 Prince's Gate in London. It is now in the Gulbenkian Collection, Lisbon.
The painting was one of those which made such a sensation when shown at the first Grovesnor Gallery exhibition in 1877, bringing Burne-Jones fame overnight. It was bought by the Liverpool shipping magnate, Frederick Leyland, forming part of the famous 'aesthetic' interiors he created at 23 Queen's Gate and later at 49 Prince's Gate in London. It is now in the Gulbenkian Collection, Lisbon.