Artwork
Danaë and the brazen Tower
Danaë and the brazen Tower is an oil painting by Edward Burne-Jones. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum. Created in 1872, this oil painting by Sir Edward Coley Burne‑Jones portrays the mythic figure Danaë within a fortified tower.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1872, this oil painting by Sir Edward Coley Burne‑Jones portrays the mythic figure Danaë within a fortified tower. The composition centers on a solitary woman in a red robe, set against a muted courtyard where a stone tower dominates the background. The work is part of the Ashmolean Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The scene draws on the classical tale of Danaë, who was imprisoned by her father in a bronze tower to prevent a prophecy. Burne‑Jones captures the moment of her confinement, emphasizing her contemplative pose and the stark architecture that symbolizes both protection and captivity.
Technique & Style
Employing a restrained palette of reds, yellows, and browns, the artist uses chiaroscuro to model the figure and suggest depth within the courtyard. The handling of light and shadow reflects the Pre‑Raphaelite emphasis on detailed rendering, while the overall approach shows Burne‑Jones’s mature personal style, moving beyond his early Rossetti influence.
History & Provenance
Burne‑Jones completed the canvas during the early 1870s, a period when he was establishing his own artistic voice. The painting entered the Ashmolean Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display as a representative example of his mythological work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1st Baronet (; 28 August 1833 – 17 June 1898) was an English painter and designer associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's style and subject matter.
