Ned's Ups and Downs

Ned Burne-Jones was often in ill health and was known to faint at inopportune times, usually from stress, or exertion, or the after effects of  Maria Zambaco (his mistress; more about her in future posts.) Rossetti called these fainting spells "Ned's ups and downs."

Ned was also a sucker for a damsel in distress whom he could offer his prompt assistance and possibly gain a model.  A story that the artist Aubrey Beardsley told was that he and his sister had gone to Burne-Jones' home in hopes to meet the famous painter and to hopefully show him Beardsley's portfolio. They were almost turned away until Ned himself happened to see Beardsley's attractive sister... and he swiftly and courteously showed them inside.

Oh, the Nedster...