Dorigen of Britain Waiting for the Return of Her Husband 1871

Edward Burne-Jones painted this scene of Dorigen in Britain waiting for the return of her husband, sometime during his career in the second half of the nineteenth century. The image speaks to the Victorian fascination with Arthurian legend, but also with the role of women in society. Burne-Jones, associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, often looked to medieval stories for his subjects, but reinterpreted them through a contemporary lens. Here, Dorigen's anxiety isn't just about her husband's safety, it's about the limited agency afforded to women of the time. Trapped indoors, her world is confined to domestic duties, symbolized by the book and the claustrophobic space. Yet, her gaze is fixed on the horizon, yearning for a world beyond. To truly understand this piece, one must delve into the social history of Victorian England, exploring the debates around women's education, work, and rights. Contemporary journals, letters, and census data can offer insights into the lived experiences of women like Dorigen, and reveal the subtle ways in which Burne-Jones challenged the status quo through his art.