oil on canvas
Burne-Jones's Pygmalion series of four paintings tells the story
of a sculptor who falls in love with his own creation. Here, in
the first picture in the series, Pygmalion stands in his studio,
deep in thought. In the background is a sculpture of the
Three Graces, who in classical myth represented beauty, joy and
elegance. Two young women pass in the street, their pose echoing
the sculpture, but Pygmalion is turned away from them. He has
vowed to reject physical beauty and dedicated himself to art.
Birmingham Art Gallery.
Sorry for the reflections.