Editing Edward Burne-Jones (section)

===Final years===
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Burne-Jones was elected an Associate of the [[Royal Academy]] in 1885, and the following year he exhibited uniquely at the Academy, showing ''The Depths of the Sea,'' a painting of a mermaid carrying down with her a youth whom she has unconsciously drowned in the impetuosity of her love. This picture adds to the habitual haunting charm a tragic irony of conception and a felicity of execution which give it a place apart among Burne-Jones's works. He formally resigned his Associateship in 1893. 

One of the ''Perseus'' series was exhibited in 1887 and two more in 1888, with ''The Brazen Tower,'' inspired by the same legend. In 1890 the second series of ''[[The Legend of Briar Rose]]'' were exhibited by themselves and won admiration. The huge watercolour, ''[[Star of Bethlehem (painting)|The Star of Bethlehem]],'' painted for the corporation of Birmingham, was exhibited in 1891. 

A long illness for a time checked the painter's activity, which, when resumed, was much occupied with decorative schemes. An exhibition of his work was held at the [[New Gallery (London)|New Gallery]] in the winter of 1892–1893. To this period belong his comparatively few portraits.

In 1894, Burne-Jones was made a [[baronet]]. Ill health again interrupted the progress of his works, chief among which was the vast ''[[The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon|Arthur in Avalon]]''. William Morris died in 1896, and the health of Burne-Jones declined substantially after. In 1898 he suffered an attack of [[influenza]], and had apparently recovered when he was again taken suddenly ill and died on 17 June 1898.<ref name="EB1911" /><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26988|page=4396|date=19 July 1898}}</ref> His memorial service was held six days later, at [[Westminster Abbey]]. His ashes were interred in the churchyard at [[St Margaret's Church, Rottingdean]],{{sfn | Dale | 1989 | p=212}} a place he knew through summer family holidays. In the winter following his death, a second exhibition of his works was held at the New Gallery, and an exhibition of his drawings at the [[Burlington Fine Arts Club]].<ref name="EB1911" />