The Madness of Sir Tristram 

Edward Burne-Jones created "The Madness of Sir Tristram" using oil paint, presenting a scene steeped in a melancholic aura. The composition is structured around contrasts between light and shadow, with figures emerging from a dark, wooded backdrop. The artist's technique emphasizes the flat, decorative qualities of the surface. Linear forms define the figures, creating a sense of stylized elegance that diverges from realistic representation. Color functions symbolically; muted tones evoke a sense of emotional restraint. The painting can be interpreted through the lens of structuralism. The arrangement of figures and the use of symbols such as the harp function as signs within a narrative structure. Burne-Jones's rejection of academic naturalism reflects a broader cultural shift, challenging conventional modes of representation. The flattening of space and the emphasis on linear design not only serve aesthetic purposes but also signal a move towards a more subjective and symbolic mode of expression.