"Le Vampire" – Burne-Jones, 1897 – Gothic Vampire Print, Antique Dark Art Poster, Dracula Illustration, Gothic Home Decor #74

This “Le Vampire” Print (1897) by the renowned Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones captures the haunting essence of the Victorian gothic imagination. Known for his depictions of myth, legend, and dreamlike visions, Burne-Jones here turns to the darker, more forbidden realm of vampiric seduction and nocturnal terror.

The Femme Fatale of Gothic Darkness

The image presents a chilling yet sensual scene: a female vampire, draped in ghostly white, hovers over the lifeless form of her victim, reclining in a state of weakness and surrender. The vampire’s expression is one of both ecstasy and power, embodying the archetype of the femme fatale, a recurring figure in both gothic art and literature.

This print embodies the fascination with vampires that swept through 19th-century Europe, fueled by the Gothic novel tradition and works such as “Carmilla” by Sheridan Le Fanu (1872) and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” (1897), published in the very same year as this artwork. It is at once a testament to gothic Romanticism and a symbol of fear, seduction, and death intertwined.

What the Artwork Depicts

• The Vampire Woman – Beautiful yet terrifying, she leans forward with predatory intent, representing both sexual liberation and mortal danger. Her long dark hair and pale skin contrast with the shadows, highlighting her otherworldly presence.

• The Victim – A fragile, unconscious figure draped across the bed, embodying vulnerability, mortality, and the fate of those who succumb to temptation.

• The Drapery and Shadows – Heavy curtains and dim lighting create an atmosphere of secrecy and forbidden acts, evoking the gothic interiors of castles, crypts, and chambers of death.

• Sepia Tone Rendering – The aged, antique finish lends the image the aura of a rare 19th-century engraving, intensifying its gothic allure and timeless quality.

Symbolism and Meaning

• The Vampire as Femme Fatale – She symbolizes the Victorian fear of female power, sexuality, and dominance, a theme running through gothic literature and art.

• Predation and Desire – The act of vampirism represents not just death, but also erotic transgression, making the vampire an icon of both fear and fascination.

• Duality of Beauty and Death – Burne-Jones masterfully contrasts the serene beauty of the vampire with the grim reality of death and decay, embodying the gothic obsession with the sublime terror of the beautiful-yet-deadly.

• Gothic Romanticism – The image belongs to the Romantic tradition of blending myth, horror, and forbidden love, where supernatural beings embody human fears and desires.

Historical and Artistic Context

• Artist: Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1833–1898), a key figure of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, was celebrated for his mystical, medieval-inspired art. While most of his work focused on myth and allegory, “Le Vampire” stands as one of his most striking ventures into the gothic macabre.

• Date: Created in 1897, the same year Bram Stoker published Dracula, cementing the vampire mythos in modern culture.

• Style: Burne-Jones combines Pre-Raphaelite attention to detail and flowing form with the darker sensibilities of gothic Romanticism, producing a piece that is both elegant and terrifying.

• Legacy: This image has become one of the most iconic depictions of vampirism in 19th-century art, influencing not only gothic aesthetics but also the modern visualization of vampires in literature, cinema, and art.

Why Choose This Print?

• Rare reproduction of Burne-Jones’ gothic masterpiece

• Evocative of Victorian vampire lore and Dracula-era art

• Perfectly balances romantic beauty and macabre terror

• Antique style finish enhances its dark, mysterious aura

• Essential for lovers of gothic art, horror history, and esoteric collections

Perfect For

• Collectors of gothic, macabre, and dark Romantic art

• Enthusiasts of vampire lore, Dracula, and 19th-century horror

• Decoration of gothic interiors, dark libraries, and candlelit studies

• Those drawn to the femme fatale archetype and nocturnal mysteries

• Perfect Halloween art piece or year-round gothic home decor

A Dark Embrace from the Shadows

This “Le Vampire” Print by Edward Burne-Jones (1897) is not merely a gothic artwork—it is an icon of horror, beauty, and forbidden desire. It bridges the realms of Victorian fears, Pre-Raphaelite elegance, and the eternal myth of the vampire.

Displayed as dark wall art, gothic home decor, or a collector’s esoteric print, it serves as both a hauntingly beautiful piece of art and a gateway to the darker imagination of the 19th century.

👉 Add this Vampire Gothic Print to your collection and bring the chilling beauty of Burne-Jones’ masterpiece into your own space—a timeless reminder of the allure of darkness, seduction, and death.

Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide