Study for 'The Mirror of Venus': Kneeling Female Figure c. 1873 - 1877

This is a pencil drawing by Edward Burne-Jones, a study for his painting ‘The Mirror of Venus’. Burne-Jones was working in a Victorian England that was rapidly industrializing, and he looked to classical and mythological themes as alternatives to modernity. The kneeling figure, draped in flowing fabric, embodies a sense of timeless beauty but also hints at the emotional interiority of women. Her downcast eyes and the gentle clasp of her hands suggest introspection. In the context of his time, Burne-Jones was challenging the prevailing academic art which often objectified women. He was interested in representing a more complex and empathetic vision. This study gives us insight into his artistic process, and his focus on the emotional resonance of his figures. The drawing captures a moment of quiet contemplation, reflecting the Pre-Raphaelite movement’s ideals of beauty, spirituality, and a yearning for a world beyond the industrial age.