The garden of Pan
(1886-1887)
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
152.5 × 186.9 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1919
Gallery location
19th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Edward Burne-Jones often combined a number of sources, interweaving medieval and classical or Renaissance imagery to create subjects located in an indeterminate time and place. The Greek deity Pan, god of flocks and herds, is shown here as a slender, beautiful youth. As he plays, the kingfisher and dragonflies – creatures known for their darting speed – stop to listen to the sweet sound.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
961-3
Department
International Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Religion and Mythology
Subjects (specific)
flutes (aerophones) gods (deities) men (male humans) mountains mythologies (religious concept) nudes (representations) Pan (Greek deity) women (female humans)
Movements
Pre-Raphaelite
Provenance
Exhibited Grosvenor Gallery, London, 1887, no. 66; Exhibition of the Works of Sir Edward Burne-Jones, New Gallery, London, 1892–3, no. 41; collection of Lilian Warren Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (1848–1909, née Price), Deepdene, Dorking, Surrey, by 1892–1909; Estate of the Duchess of Marlborough, until 1918; included in the Duchess of Marlborough sale, Christie's, London, 10 May 1918, no. 95; from where purchased, on the advice of Robert Ross, for the Felton Bequest, 1918.
Frame
Original, maker unknown, surface not original