The Depths of the Sea 1887

Editor: Here we have Edward Burne-Jones's "The Depths of the Sea", from the late 19th century. I’m really struck by the materiality of the water itself, and how it seems to both envelop and reveal the figures. What do you make of this artwork? Curator: Note the pre-Raphaelite interest in the process of depicting the female form in this work, particularly how Burne-Jones engages with both the mythical and the mundane aspects of constructing an image. How does the artist's depiction of the mermaid challenge the traditional notion of art as a purely aesthetic pursuit? Editor: That's interesting. It's like the artist is thinking about how art is made. Curator: Exactly. Consider the labor involved in producing these works, as well as how the work relates to social questions around beauty, gender, and art's accessibility. Editor: I never thought about the actual work that goes into creating something like this. Thanks for this new way to think about it. Curator: Of course. Considering the conditions under which art is produced encourages us to question its value and meaning more deeply.