The Death of Medusa II by Edward Burne-Jones (Interpretation and Analysis)

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The Death of Medusa II
Source: Southampton City Art Gallery
Among the painters of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, Edward Burne-Jones stands out as one of the most productive and talented artists of his age. Like many of the Pre-Raphaelites, much of his work was inspired by the legends and myths of older cultures, spanning from the stories of Medieval Europe to the famed Greek myths. One subject that seemed to fascinate him was the story of Perseus.

The legend of Perseus comes from Greek mythology. It tells the story of the heroic son of Zeus, Perseus, who embarks on a mission to save the princess Andromeda from the monstrous Gorgon, Medusa. Burne-Jones planned to tell the entire story through paintings, but he died before he could complete the project.

The Death of Medusa II is one unfinished piece from the series. It depicts Perseus escaping with the head of Medusa while her sisters, the other two Gorgons, gaze at her dead body in distress. The Pre-Raphaelites strove for a degree of realism in their work, yet the looseness and lack of polish of this piece give it an energy and spontaneity that is often lacking in finished works of art from this period.

In its unfinished state, Burne-Jones’ The Death of Medusa II recalls the frantic—almost ecstatic—energy of Mannerist art such as El Greco’s The Opening of the Fifth Seal. Yet, it is Burne-Jones’ compositional choices make this a highly dramatic scene. The movements of the Gorgons as they prepare to take to the sky and the motion of Perseus as he springs into action create the sense of a moment in time, a mythological scene brought to life.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.

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