A Siren 1896

Editor: This is Edward Burne-Jones' pencil drawing, *A Siren*. It's striking how serene she appears, despite the dangerous connotations of sirens. What can you tell me about its context? Curator: Burne-Jones and his Pre-Raphaelite contemporaries were deeply interested in myth and its social function. How do you think a figure like a siren, traditionally a symbol of destructive female power, is being reinterpreted here? Editor: Perhaps by presenting her as beautiful and thoughtful, he's critiquing the simplistic demonization of women in Victorian society? Curator: Precisely. The Pre-Raphaelites often challenged the dominant narratives of their time through their art. Considering the male gaze prevalent in art history, do you believe this piece contributes to or challenges that dynamic? Editor: That's a lot to think about. This image really does invite a closer look at societal expectations. Curator: Indeed. It highlights the ongoing dialogue between art and social norms.