concept:era modern
The Golden Stairs
Oil on canvas (1880) by Edward Burne-Jones. Tate Britain, London. Eighteen young women in flowing classical robes descend a spiral golden staircase, each carrying a musical instrument. No legible narrative — pure formal rhythm and colour harmony.
Scholarly Significance
Defining work of the Aesthetic Movement strand of late Pre-Raphaelitism. Its refusal of narrative anticipates l'art pour l'art.