Danaë (The Tower of Brass)

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt ARA (1833-1898)

1872

Oil on panel

38 x 19 cm.

The Ashmoleon Museum, University of Oxford, Accession number WA1948.32.

Presented by F. J. Nettlefold, 1948

“Burne-Jones probably used William Morris's 'Earthly Paradise' as the source of this subject. Acrisius, King of Argos, having been warned by the oracle that he would be killed by his daughter's son, imprisoned her in a tower of brass. However, Danäe bore a son to Jove, who fulfilled the prophecy. Here, Danäe watches the construction of the tower with apprehension. This is one of two small versions of the subject painted by Burne-Jones for one of his strongest supporters, the Glasgow merchant, William Graham, in 1872; the second version, of 1876, is in the Fogg Art Museum. Burne-Jones's definitive treatment of the theme (Glasgow Museum and Art Gallery), was exhibited in 1888. ” — The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology site

Click on image to enlarge it