King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid - Edward Burne-Jones
Archival giclée
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Description
A masterpiece of late Pre-Raphaelite painting, this work depicts the legendary encounter between a king and a beggar maid with meticulous detail and symbolic depth.
King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid, completed in 1884, represents the mature style of Edward Burne-Jones. The painting depicts the legend of an African king who rejects all royal suitors, only to fall in love with a beggar girl. Burne-Jones subverts the traditional power dynamic by placing the king at the feet of the girl, who sits elevated on a throne-like dais. Her simple, grey attire contrasts with the king's elaborate, dark armour, suggesting a reversal of status where the beggar possesses a quiet, spiritual authority.
The composition is highly structured, utilising a vertical format that draws the eye from the king in the foreground to the two choristers positioned on a balcony above. The architectural setting is dense with detail, featuring metallic surfaces, heavy drapery, and muted tones that create a sense of stillness. Burne-Jones employs a precise, linear technique, characteristic of his later work, which prioritises form and symbolic arrangement over atmospheric effects. The figures possess the elongated proportions and melancholic expressions typical of his subjects, reflecting a preoccupation with classical and medieval themes rather than contemporary reality.
This work was acquired by the Tate Gallery in 1900. It remains one of the most recognised examples of late Pre-Raphaelite art, demonstrating the artist's ability to synthesise literary narrative with a highly controlled, decorative aesthetic. The attention to material textures, from the polished steel of the armour to the soft folds of the beggar maid's dress, reveals the technical rigour applied to the canvas. By focusing on the psychological tension between the two central figures, Burne-Jones creates a scene that feels removed from time, inviting the viewer to contemplate the nature of devotion and social hierarchy.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid - Edward Burne-Jones
Artist Biography
Edward Burne Jones
Though closely associated with Rossetti, Burne-Jones forged his own distinct path, drawing inspiration from Arthurian romances, classical mythology, and the burgeoning Symbolist movement. His works, such as 'The Beguiling of Merlin' and 'King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid', are not mere illustrations but rather explorations of complex emotional states and timeless human dramas. He embraced decorative arts, designing stained glass, tapestries, and mosaics, believing in the unity of art and life.
Burne-Jones's influence extended far beyond his own lifetime. His emphasis on beauty, imagination, and the evocative power of art paved the way for the Aesthetic movement and later Symbolist painters. Collecting a Burne-Jones print allows one to bring a touch of medieval romance and ethereal beauty into the everyday, a reminder of the power of art to transport and transform.
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