The Easel

At Tate Britain

Amidst numerous critics flinging insults at Burne-Jones’ work, one tries to be more specific. What exactly are the shortcomings of this member of the Pre-Raphaelite movement? Flawed technique is a big one; an unvarying style, “cumbersomely itself”; his figures tend to “lifelessness”. The verdict – “there are pleasures to be had. But love him? I’m trying to find a way.”