The Wheel of Fortune Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898)

Here we observe a vertical composition dominated by a large, central wheel. The scale of this device dwarfs the figures positioned around it, immediately establishing its symbolic importance. A female figure, draped in flowing grey garments and crowned with a headband, stands adjacent to the wheel’s edge. Her posture is one of solemn observation; her gaze directed towards the unfolding drama on the wheel itself. She appears detached yet engaged, suggesting a role as witness or perhaps even an embodiment of fates impartial nature.
The wheel is populated by three male figures in various states of distress and exertion. One figure clings precariously to the upper rim, his body contorted in effort, while another descends from the wheel’s circumference, seemingly falling with a mixture of terror and resignation. A third figure lies prostrate at the base, appearing defeated or crushed by the wheels relentless motion. The artist has rendered these figures with meticulous attention to anatomical detail, emphasizing their muscularity and vulnerability simultaneously. Their nudity underscores their exposure to fortune’s whims – they are stripped bare, both physically and metaphorically.
The background is sparsely detailed, consisting of a cityscape glimpsed through an archway behind the female figure. This architectural element provides a sense of depth while also reinforcing the idea that these events unfold within a larger societal context. The limited palette – primarily muted greys, browns, and flesh tones – contributes to the painting’s somber mood.
Subtexts inherent in this work revolve around themes of fortune, destiny, and human suffering. The wheel itself serves as a potent metaphor for the cyclical nature of life, where prosperity and adversity are intertwined. The female figures presence hints at an overarching power that governs these cycles, while the struggling men embody humanity’s constant struggle against forces beyond its control. There is a sense of inevitability conveyed; the figures appear trapped within this system, their fates dictated by the turning of the wheel. The painting suggests a commentary on the transient nature of earthly success and the humbling experience of confronting ones own mortality.