Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

Danaë (The Tower of Brass)

Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums

How you can use this image

 

This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (CC BY-NC-ND).

You can reproduce this image for non-commercial purposes and you are not able to change or modify it in any way.

Wherever you reproduce the image you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s) and the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other rights holders.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Download

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Warned by an oracle that his daughter's son would one day kill him, Acrisius, King of Argos, decided to imprison his daughter 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 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 ...'.

Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC)

Title

Danaë (The Tower of Brass)

Date

1887–1888

Medium

oil on panel

Measurements

H 231.1 x W 113 cm

Accession number

936

Acquisition method

gift from William Connal, 1901

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC)

200 Woodhead Road, South Nitshill Industrial Estate, Glasgow G53 7NN Scotland

Not all locations are open to the public. Please contact the gallery or collection for more information
View venue