Pygmalion and the Image I: The Heart Desires 1878

Edward Burne-Jones's *Pygmalion and the Image I: The Heart Desires* (1878) depicts the sculptor Pygmalion in contemplation of his marble statues. The artist, known for his Pre-Raphaelite style, uses muted tones and elongated figures to create a sense of melancholy and yearning. Pygmalion's solitary figure, clad in flowing robes, stands before three female statues, their forms reflecting in the polished floor. This work, now housed at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, explores the themes of artistic creation, the power of love, and the unattainable nature of beauty.