Two Banners: verso: Two Banners c. 19th century

Curator: These two pencil studies of banners, created by Edward Burne-Jones, present a fascinating look at the artist’s process. I am immediately struck by the ethereal quality, almost as though they are spirits taking form. Editor: Indeed, Burne-Jones was deeply engaged in rethinking the aesthetic values of Victorian society. We see here a challenge to the industrial production and the rise of capitalism, with its focus on material value. He returns to a more craft-based artistic production. Curator: These are not finished works, but rather preparatory sketches, meant to inform a larger composition. It shows an emphasis on the artist's hand, particularly the marks made in the study of motion and light upon fabric. The artist’s dedication to draftsmanship stands out. Editor: And it's worth noting that Burne-Jones positioned art as a critique of contemporary social norms, seeking to elevate craftsmanship and design through the lens of medievalism and allegory, as can be seen here in his banner sketches. He aimed to instil moral and spiritual values into the viewer, a direct opposition to the dominant culture of material accumulation. Curator: Precisely, it invites us to contemplate the social and artistic values that Burne-Jones sought to promote. Editor: It really makes you think about the politics embedded in what we consider beautiful, doesn’t it?