Danae and the Brazen Tower - Edward Burne-Jones

A 1872 mythological painting by Edward Burne-Jones, depicting the isolation of Danae within a golden, sun-drenched architectural setting.

Edward Burne-Jones painted this work in 1872, drawing upon the Greek myth of Danae. According to the legend, King Acrisius of Argos imprisoned his daughter, Danae, within a bronze tower to prevent the fulfilment of a prophecy that her son would kill him. The composition captures the moment of her isolation, as she stands in the foreground, draped in a crimson robe, observing the construction of the tower in the distance.

Burne-Jones employs a distinct colour palette dominated by warm ochres, deep ambers, and the striking red of Danae's garment. The verticality of the composition is emphasised by the tall, dark cypress trees that frame the figure, creating a sense of enclosure and melancholy. The architectural elements in the background are rendered with a focus on geometric form, contrasting with the soft, flowing lines of the figure's drapery.

This painting reflects the artist's interest in classical themes filtered through a romantic, dreamlike sensibility. Unlike the more literal interpretations of mythology common in the Victorian era, Burne-Jones focuses on the psychological state of his subject. The figures in the middle distance, engaged in the labour of building the prison, appear as silhouettes, further distancing the viewer from the narrative action and placing the emphasis on Danae's internal experience. The work demonstrates the artist's technical skill in layering glazes to achieve a luminous quality, particularly in the depiction of the golden light that permeates the scene. It remains a representative example of his mature style, where narrative clarity is secondary to the creation of a specific, evocative mood.