Study for "Flamma Vestalis"; verso: Two Studies of a Wood Sprite c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Edward Burne-Jones's "Study for 'Flamma Vestalis,'" a delicate pencil drawing. It feels so ethereal and dreamlike, almost as if caught between worlds. What draws your eye most when you look at this piece? Curator: It whispers of untold stories, doesn't it? The Vestal Virgin, clutching that sprig of something…is it hope? Is it a memory? I find myself wondering what she's protecting, what flame burns within her, and within Burne-Jones himself as he sketched this. Editor: That's beautiful. The idea of a personal flame… Curator: Indeed. And isn't it interesting how a simple sketch can ignite such thoughts? It’s more than just a study; it’s a portal. Editor: I never thought of it that way. I'll definitely be pondering that "portal" aspect.