The artwork titled “Pygmalion and the Image III: The Godhead Fires,” created by Edward Burne-Jones between 1868 and 1869, is a mythological painting meticulously rendered in oil on canvas. This piece is part of the Romanticism art movement and belongs to the “Pygmalion” series, inspired by the myth of Pygmalion.
In the artwork, a dynamic transformation scene is depicted, showcasing the moment a statue comes to life. The painting captures a deeply emotive interaction between two figures: a fully clothed woman in a dark, flowing garment and a pale, nude figure, ostensibly the animated statue. The vivid contrast in their attire underscores the miraculous transition from inanimate to animate. The background features a modest interior space with subdued, warm lighting that contributes to the intimate and sacred atmosphere of the moment. At the woman’s feet are several doves, symbolizing purity and divine intervention. Burne-Jones’s use of soft, meticulous brushstrokes and harmonious color palette brings a dreamlike quality to this evocative, mythological scene.
