Wall Tryst 1905

Edward Burne-Jones made this watercolor painting, Wall Tryst, sometime in the 19th century, and it has this feel of a dream about it. The colors are muted and earthy, and the surface texture is loose and uneven, almost like he was trying to capture a fleeting memory, which for me is painting's main game. Look at how he’s built up the tones using these tiny little hatching marks. It's like he’s gently coaxing the image into being, one stroke at a time. You can really see the hand of the artist there, and it gives the whole thing this intimate, personal quality. The woman is leaning against the wall, maybe whispering secrets, maybe just longing for something. There’s a real tenderness in the way he’s painted her. Burne-Jones reminds me a bit of Gustav Moreau, especially in the way he uses color to create this atmosphere of mystery and longing. Both artists had this knack for making paintings that felt both timeless and deeply personal. This piece is a reminder that art isn’t just about representing the world, it’s about creating different ways of seeing and feeling.