Mr. Burne-Jones and the Academy

The Speaker, 26 November 1892, page 624, 251 words

[page 623] Sir, – Your art critic "G.M." is in error on a matter of fact, and as everybody knows the relationship between fact and theory, I am afraid his little error vitiates the argument he propounds with so much vigour. It was after, and not before, his election as an associate that Mr. Burne Jones made his solitary appearance as an exhibitor at the Royal Academy. – Yours truly, etc., R.I.

Sir, – lt has always been my rule not to enter into argument with my critics, but in the instance of “R.I." I find myself obliged to break my rule. "R.I." thinks that the mistake I slipped into regarding Mr. Burne-Jones's election as an Associate vitiates the argument which he says I propound with vigour. I, on the contrary. think that the fact that Mr. Burne-Jones was elected as an Associate before he had exhibited in the Royal Academy strengthens my argument. The facts now stand as follows: – For twenty years, possibly for more, Mr. Burne-Jones was a resolute opponent of the Royal Academy, as resolute, though not so truculent, an opponent as Mr. Whistler. When he became a popular painter Mr. Agnew gave him a commission of fifteen thousand pounds – the largest, I believe, ever given to paint four pictures, the "Briar Rose" series. Some time after – before he has exhibited in the Academy – :Mr. Jones is elected as an Associate, and, in return for the honour done him, he sends one picture, as we leave a card on people whom we have always cut, but who, nevertheless, have the bad taste to press their hospitality upon us. Is Mr. Jones the only instance of a man being elected to the Academy who had never exhibited there?

Perhaps "R.I." will tell us. I do not know. and have not time to hunt up records. G.M.