Alice, la Belle Pèlerine 1858 - 1859

Edward Burne-Jones made this drawing, Alice, la Belle Pèlerine, using graphite on paper. Graphite, though commonplace now, became widely available only in the 19th century, coinciding with industrial manufacturing processes that made pencils affordable for the masses. The drawing presents a woman, Alice, adorned in intricate medieval-inspired garments, surrounded by attendants. Graphite's qualities—its smoothness and ability to create detailed lines and shading—allowed Burne-Jones to capture the textures of fabrics, the fall of light, and the delicate features of his subjects. Consider the labor involved, both in the drawing and in the depicted clothing: the delicate lacework, the peacock feather embroidery, all of which reference a pre-industrial era. This choice of material and subject matter underscores Burne-Jones's vision, and his interest in craft traditions against the backdrop of industrialization and mass production. The work encourages us to reconsider the value of traditional skills.