St George Series – Four Studies of Female Attendants for ‘The Princess led to the Dragon’ 

Curator: Here we have a pencil drawing by Edward Burne-Jones entitled "St George Series – Four Studies of Female Attendants for ‘The Princess led to the Dragon’". Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the stillness and serenity of the figures, despite it clearly being a preliminary sketch. There is a deliberate classical timelessness, the drapery falling in these quiet folds. Curator: Burne-Jones, central to the Pre-Raphaelite movement, frequently drew upon Arthurian legend and classical themes. We see these attendants rendered in graphite, presumably preparatory figures for a larger composition of Saint George slaying the dragon. The composition showcases his preoccupation with line and form. Editor: Precisely. Notice the recurring motif: these classical robes—observe how Burne-Jones skillfully uses subtle shifts in line weight to convey the nuances of light and shadow across the drapery. The tying of fabric adds further volume and definition. Curator: He studied classical sculpture intensely, particularly the Elgin Marbles. This is palpable in his portrayal of these women; they are idealized figures. The faint rendering and averted gazes create a remote beauty, aligning with Pre-Raphaelite aesthetics which challenged the prevailing academic art of their time. Editor: And that positioning with their backs turned. It's a composition choice which emphasizes their role as figures in a larger scene rather than subjects deserving full individual representation. Do you see the political dynamic too? Curator: Well, Pre-Raphaelite art certainly had social commentary imbedded within its ethereal romanticism. I think this study reveals the painstaking methodology and devotion to draftsmanship exemplified by the artists within this sphere. Editor: It's interesting how a preparatory drawing, seemingly simple in its execution, can reveal such depths of aesthetic influence and cultural positioning when we delve deeper. Curator: Indeed. It illustrates that behind even the most visually striking art lies rigorous method and conceptual framework. Editor: It encourages us to remember there are layers to be understood beyond initial visual reception.