The Virgin 

Edward Burne-Jones rendered 'The Virgin' in 1887 using colored chalk on paper, a medium more often associated with preliminary sketches than finished works. Burne-Jones coaxes a range of effects from the chalk: soft, diffused light around the Virgin's halo, and deep, saturated tones in her robes. This speaks to his technical skill. The softness of chalk lends itself to blending and layering, creating subtle gradations of color and a sense of depth, almost textile-like. Burne-Jones belonged to the Arts and Crafts movement, which valorized handcraftsmanship in the face of industrialization. His choice of chalk, a direct and immediate medium, aligns with this ethos. Chalk drawings lack the slickness of oil paint, offering a glimpse into the artist's process and a connection to the hand-made. Considering the materials and making enriches our understanding of Burne-Jones's artistic vision, bridging the gap between fine art and craft.