Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

Date: 1913

Medium: Oil on canvas

Measurements: H 110 x W 68 cm (E)

Artist: Philip Edward Burne-Jones

Work type: Painting

Acquisition method: unknown acquisition method

The famous composer and conductor Sir Edward Elgar was a native of Worcester and lived here, on and off, all his life. According to Lady Elgar’s diaries, Sir Philip Burne-Jones invited the composer to sit his portrait when they met at a party in October 1912. After several sittings over the winter and spring of 1912-1913, the portrait was finally completed and duly exhibited at the Royal Academy in May 1913.

Sir Philip Burne-Jones, son of the celebrated Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edwar Coley Burne- Jones, was a successful portrait painter, who counted among his sitter’s such distinguished personalities as Kipling Watts, Lord Rayleigh, and Sir Walter Gibley.

Location: Guildhall Ground Floor – Lower Hall