Drapery Study c. 1875

Editor: Here we have Edward Burne-Jones' "Drapery Study", a drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm really struck by how the folds of the cloth seem to have a life of their own. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The flowing drapery evokes classical sculpture, echoing timeless ideals of beauty. The way the fabric clings and falls suggests both vulnerability and power. Does this visual vocabulary remind you of any particular narratives? Editor: I can see connections to religious iconography. Does the draped figure represent something beyond the literal folds of fabric? Curator: Indeed. Drapery often conceals and reveals, symbolizing hidden truths or spiritual awakenings. In Burne-Jones' work, it can be a metaphor for the soul's journey, draped in earthly experience. Editor: That's fascinating – it gives a deeper meaning to what I initially saw as a simple sketch. Curator: Exactly. By understanding the symbolic language of drapery, we unlock layers of meaning within the image.