Perseus and the Sea Nymphs 1877

Edward Burne-Jones created this painting of Perseus and the Sea Nymphs using watercolor on paper. Burne-Jones embraced the watercolor medium, favored for preparatory sketches, and elevated it to the status of high art, contrasting with the industrial revolution’s dominance over artistic production during the late 19th century. The translucent quality of watercolor allows light to penetrate and reflect off the paper, giving the figures a luminous and ethereal quality. The washes of color blend seamlessly, creating subtle gradations and soft, dreamlike effects. Look at how the figures' drapery and skin tones reflect the light, and how the colors evoke a sense of otherworldly beauty. Burne-Jones carefully built up layers of pigment to achieve depth and richness. This painting and the watercolor technique reflect the artist’s commitment to craft and aesthetics, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and decorative arts, and celebrating the beauty and expressiveness of handmade works.