Two Banners (continues on page 24 verso); verso: Banner c. 19th century

Curator: Edward Burne-Jones' pencil sketch, "Two Banners," offers us a glimpse into the artist's process. What strikes you first about this work? Editor: The delicate line work; it's interesting how Burne-Jones renders the fabric. I wonder about the banners themselves—were they part of a larger commission, perhaps for some grand Pre-Raphaelite pageant? Curator: It's fascinating to observe the artist's exploration of form and shadow. The composition, divided across the sketchbook's pages, creates a unique spatial dynamic. Editor: Yes, and the material presence of the paper itself—its texture, its slight yellowing with age—adds another layer. The work is both study and object. Curator: Absolutely. The artist's focus on the interplay between light and shadow truly elevates the sketch beyond a mere preparatory work. Editor: Indeed. A study in movement and form, inviting speculation on the unseen hands that might one day hoist these banners.