Details

Object type

painting

Title

Danae or The Tower of Brass

Artist/Maker

Edward Coley Burne-Jones artist

Culture/School

Pre-Raphaelite

Place Associated

England, London (place made)

Date

1887-1888

Materials

oil on panel

Dimensions

framed: 2944 x 1648 x 180 mm;unframed: 2311 mm x 1130 mm

Description

One of the most stunning Pre-Raphaelite pictures in the collection, its subject is based on a story from Greek mythology. Warned by an oracle that his daughter’s son would one day kill him, Acrisius, King of Argos, decided to imprison her in a tower of brass. His efforts were in vain for Danae did have a son, Perseus, by Zeus who, having changed himself into a shower of gold entered the prison through the roof. The prophecy was fulfilled when Perseus accidentally killed his grandfather during a games held in his honour by the King of Larissa.

The picture is characteristically full of natural details and rich colours, but its most compelling aspect is the emotional tension between Danae and the men in the background as she anxiously watches them at work.

Burne-Jones said that his intention was to create ‘a beautiful romantic dream of something that never was, never will be – in a light better than any light that ever shone- in a land no one can define or remember, only desire….’

This painting, the third and largest version of the subject, was purchased from the artist by William Connal, a Glasgow pig-iron manufacturer in 1888. It was exhibited at the International Exhibition in Glasgow in 1901 and gifted to Glasgow Museums in June that year.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by William Connal, 1901

ID Number

936

Location

Kelvingrove Every Picture Tells a Story Gallery