Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 24: The Golden Stairs

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

In Edward Burne-Jones' 'The Golden Stairs,' a line of young women holding musical instruments curves down an elegant staircase. Some women wear wreaths of leaves in their hair. Some women chat as they descend. We don't know why the women are there, what they are doing, or why they all hold instruments. Some of the women painted are based on real people. For instance, Burne-Jones' daughter, Margaret, holds a spindly trumpet and stands fourth from the top of the staircase.

Vocabulary

Golden: Colored or shining like gold.
Staircase: A set of stairs and its surrounding walls or structure.
Wreath: An arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring.
Descend: Move or fall downward.
Musical Instruments: An object or device for producing musical sounds.
Trumpet: A brass musical instrument with a flared bell.

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:

• Women
• Instruments
• Staircase
• Trumpet
• Violin
• Dove
• Skylight
• Plant
• Door

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 32 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are young women.

1 / 4

Question 2

What are the characters doing?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The characters are holding instruments and descending a staircase.

2 / 4

Question 3

What are some of the instruments on the painting?

3 / 4

Answer 3

Some of the instruments include trumpets, flutes, and violins.

3 / 4

Question 4

How many women are in the painting?

4 / 4

Answer 4

There are eighteen women in the painting.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The characters are young women.
2. What are the characters doing? The characters are holding instruments and descending a staircase.
3. What are some of the instruments on the painting? Some of the instruments include trumpets, flutes, and violins.
4. How many women are in the painting? There are eighteen women in the painting.

References

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

'The Golden Stairs.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.