Edward Burne-Jones: The Mermaid Family (c. 1885) Pre-Raphaelite Art Print

Immerse your space in the deep, mystical underworld, swirling organic rhythm, and poetic romanticism of late Victorian avant-garde art with this exquisite reproduction of The Mermaid Family. Created circa 1885 by the celebrated master designer and painter Sir Edward Burne-Jones, this evocative study captures a rare, intimate look into a hidden mythological realm. It stands as a brilliant example of the late Pre-Raphaelite and British Symbolist movements, transforming a legendary sea myth into a tender, deeply emotional family portrait.

The composition plunges the viewer beneath the ocean's surface into a dynamic, shifting underwater current. A family of merfolk glides gracefully through the dark water, surrounded by a swirling school of stylized fish. In the center, a beautiful mermaid mother with long, braided hair holds a small infant tightly to her chest, while an inquisitive merman father and a young child swim nearby, cradling large sea creatures and shells. Burne-Jones utilizes a moody, highly atmospheric color palette dominated by deep oceanic teals, rich sepia undertones, mossy greens, and shimmering, chalky gold highlights. The heavily textured, expressive brushstrokes and visible under-drawings lend the piece a wonderful, tactile quality—evoking the feel of an ancient, weathered fresco or a rich tapestried dreamscape.

The Artist: Sir Edward Burne-Jones

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833–1898) was a titan of late 19th-century British art and design. Working closely with William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Burne-Jones rejected the industrial realism of the Victorian era, choosing instead to find inspiration in medieval legends, classical mythology, and spiritual symbolism. Celebrated for his elongated figures, fluid lines, and dreamy, melancholic expressions, his unique style heavily paved the way for the international Art Nouveau movement. The Mermaid Family beautifully showcases his genius for decorative rhythm—where every wave, fin, and figure twists together to form a perfectly balanced, poetic design.

Interior Decoration Theme Recommendation

Theme: Dark Academic Library / Ethereal Antique Maritime Sanctuary

This deeply rich, narrative piece serves as an extraordinary focal point for interiors centered around moody romantic styles, eclectic antiquarianism, or luxurious, dark-toned maximalist design. Its deep, undersea palette and mythic subject matter bring a layer of immediate intrigue, historical weight, and cozy mystery to a space.

• How to Style It: Feature this print prominently in spaces meant for deep relaxation or quiet reading—such as a cozy study, a home library, a sophisticated bedroom alcove, or a luxury master bathroom suite. Coordinate it with dark wood tones (like walnut, mahogany, or blackened oak), plush emerald velvet accents, and dim, warm lighting to mirror the underwater mood.

• Framing Advice: To enhance its late-Victorian heritage, choose a substantial frame made of deeply tarnished, antiqued silver, or a heavy, hand-rubbed dark oak frame with an inner gold bead. A wide mat board in a soft charcoal or textured off-white shade will make the golden highlights pop beautifully.

• Perfect Companion Pieces: Create an incredible, themed gallery wall by pairing this print with other water-inspired and symbolist masterworks from our collection. It coordinates beautifully with the dynamic, crashing waves of Walter Crane's Neptune's Horses or the quiet, twilight reflections of Henri Meunier's L'Heure du Silence.

Premium Craftsmanship & Features

• Museum-Grade Giclée: We use state-of-the-art archival pigment inks to perfectly capture the subtle variations of deep teal, rich sepia, and the delicate, shimmering gold highlights without any fading over time.

• Archival Fine Art Paper: Printed on premium heavy-weight 200gsm, acid-free matte paper, yielding a smooth, glare-free velvet surface that beautifully accentuates the painterly, mixed-media textures of the original study.

• Complete Period Accuracy: Every print is meticulously calibrated to protect the genuine charcoal lines, original paint textures, and subtle historic paper aging characteristics of Burne-Jones's c. 1885 design.

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