The Adoration of the Magi

Narrator:

The motif in this large tapestry is the familiar scene of the birth of Jesus - The Three Wise Men are present, having followed the Star of Bethlehem to a stable in the town of Bethlehem.

 

The tapestry was designed and painted by the British artist Sir. Edward Coley Burne-Jones.

 

Burne-Jones was commissioned to create the tapestry to be hung in the neo-Gothic chapel in Oxford’s Exeter College, in the United Kingdom.

 

In order to weave such an enormous tapestry, many skilled helpers were enlisted to join the workshop of the famous textile artist William Morris.

 

Morris was a good friend of Burne-Jones, and the pair worked together for many years.

 

It was not the first time that one of Burne-Jones’ artworks was woven by Morris’ weavers, but previously they had only reused artworks specifically designed for stained glass windows.

 

The interest in medieval decorative arts contributed to many modern artists rediscovering old craft traditions.

They began to use more techniques and materials to express themselves.

 

For example, in addition to painting, more and more artists experimented with designing tapestries, mosaics, and stained-glass windows.

 

The motifs combined medieval colour and imagery with modern content, perspectives and approaches.

 

This particular tapestry was completed in February 1890, after four years of work!