Sketchbook c. 1870 - 1878

Curator: Here we have a sketchbook by Edward Burne-Jones, a glimpse into the artist's creative process. Its dimensions are approximately 28 by 20 centimeters. Editor: The cover alone evokes a sense of intimacy, almost a hallowed object. The worn canvas whispers of countless hours of use. I wonder, what ideas did it hold? Curator: We can see Burne-Jones grappling with themes that permeated his art—mythology, religion, and idealized beauty. It reflects Victorian society's own complex relationship with faith and modernity. Editor: The sketchbook itself becomes a potent symbol. It represents the artist’s mind, a storehouse of archetypes and personal visions, slowly taking shape. Curator: Absolutely, and by displaying it, we also give power to marginalized voices and experiences that Burne-Jones's work sometimes echoed. Editor: It makes you reflect on the artist’s journey, doesn’t it? A tangible link to his creative wellspring, and ultimately, our own.