The artwork “Fair Rosamund and Queen Eleanor,” created by Edward Burne-Jones in 1862, is an evocative piece rendered in ink, watercolor, and gouache. It belongs to the genre of portraiture and is housed in Tate Britain, London, UK. The piece depicts the legendary confrontation between Rosamund Clifford, known as “Fair Rosamund,” and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
In the artwork, Fair Rosamund is depicted as a young woman with flowing, golden hair, dressed in a white, ethereal gown. She appears to be retreating or perhaps attempting to hide, her left hand pressed against the wall, her expression one of anxiety or fear. Behind her stands Queen Eleanor, draped in dark, regal robes, her demeanor stern and resolute as she firmly holds onto a spindle. The composition is rich in symbolism, with the tension between the two figures heightened by the contrasting use of light and shadow. The details in the background, such as the darkened stairway and the ornate grid-like structure, further contribute to the ominous atmosphere of the scene.
