Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 23: The Briar Wood

by Edward Burne-Jones

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Edward Burne-Jones' 'The Briar Wood' shows soldiers, who were long ago cast into an enchanted sleep, tangled within the thorny clutches of the briar rose. A knight has discovered them while on a quest to rescue Sleeping Beauty and her kingdom. He must brave the thicket of barbed vines to reach the castle, where perhaps he can wake the Sleeping Beauty with a kiss. Inspired by the Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Fairy Tale, 'Little Briar-Rose,' this painting is part of a series called 'The Legend of Briar Rose.'

Vocabulary

Briar: Any of a number of prickly scrambling shrubs.
Soldiers: One who fights as part of an organized, land-based armed force.
Enchant: To put someone or something under a spell.
Knight: A man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armor.
Quest: A long or arduous search for something or effort to accomplish something.
Kingdom: A country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen.

Concepts

1. British artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones was born in 1833 in Birmingham, England.

2. Zoom in and find Burne-Jones' country of birth on the map of Europe.

3. His mother died when he was only days old, leaving his upbringing to his father and their housekeeper.
4. Although Burne-Jones studied theology and originally wished to become a church minister, he later turned to art.
5. His artworks included paintings, stained glass, ceramic tiles, jewelry, tapestries, and mosaics. Burne-Jones often painted subjects from literature.
6. He died in London, England in 1898 at the age of 64.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Knight
• Soldiers
• Roses
• Helmets
• Armor
• Sword
• Thorns

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

• After studying the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 31 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The characters are a knight and soldiers.

1 / 6

Question 2

What are the characters doing?

2 / 6

Answer 2

The knight is on a quest to find Sleeping Beauty. The soldiers are sleeping.

2 / 6

Question 3

Why are the soldiers sleeping?

3 / 6

Answer 3

The soldiers sleep because they have been put under an enchantment.

3 / 6

Question 4

How many soldiers are in the painting?

4 / 6

Answer 4

There are five soldiers in the painting.

4 / 6

Question 5

What items are suspended in the briar rose bushes?

5 / 6

Answer 5

Pieces of armor are suspended in the briar rose bushes.

5 / 6

Question 6

What is the setting of the painting?

6 / 6

Answer 6

The setting is outside, in a thicket of a briar rose branches.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The characters are a knight and soldiers.
2. What are the characters doing? The knight is on a quest to find Sleeping Beauty. The soldiers are sleeping.
3. Why are the soldiers sleeping? The soldiers sleep because they have been put under an enchantment.
4. How many soldiers are in the painting? There are five soldiers in the painting.
5. What items are suspended in the briar rose bushes? Pieces of armor are suspended in the briar rose bushes.
6. What is the setting of the painting? The setting is outside, in a thicket of a briar rose branches.

References

'Edward Burne-Jones.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'The Legend of Briar Rose.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.