Angel of Suffering, for St. Catherine Window, Christ Church, Oxford; verso: blank c. 1878

Editor: Here we have Edward Burne-Jones's sketch, "Angel of Suffering," a study for a stained-glass window. The figure's delicate lines and downcast gaze evoke a sense of melancholy. What draws your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: It’s like glimpsing a dream, isn’t it? I’m struck by the angel's heavy drapery; it almost seems to weigh her down. Is she succumbing to sorrow or offering solace? Perhaps both, reflecting the duality of suffering itself. Editor: That's a beautiful point. I was so focused on the sadness; I didn't consider the possibility of comfort. Curator: Art, like life, often holds those complexities within. It's in the quiet contemplation that we find new layers of meaning. Editor: I'll definitely remember that. Thanks!