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 ...'.