Figure of Perseus, for "The Finding of Medusa"; verso: blank c. 1882

Curator: Before us is a study by Edward Burne-Jones, a pencil drawing titled "Figure of Perseus, for 'The Finding of Medusa.'" Editor: He’s so poised, almost balletic, yet there’s a tension in his stance, a readiness for action. Curator: Exactly. Burne-Jones often imbued his figures with a sense of melancholy and introspection, drawing from classical and medieval imagery. Perseus, of course, is a pivotal heroic figure. Editor: And the male gaze becomes quite literal here. Perseus averts his eyes to avoid Medusa’s petrifying stare, a powerful metaphor for the dangers of looking, particularly in relation to female power. Curator: Indeed. The averted gaze is a motif we see echoed throughout art history, often tied to themes of forbidden knowledge and the limitations placed on perception. Editor: It's interesting to consider how Burne-Jones, as a Pre-Raphaelite, was grappling with these timeless symbols in a rapidly changing Victorian society. Curator: Very much so. This work is a testament to Burne-Jones's enduring interest in the power of myth and its potential to reflect our own anxieties and aspirations. Editor: I agree. It really speaks to the artist’s ability to use historical narratives to reflect on and challenge contemporary issues of power and representation.