Of all the paintings that Burne-Jones was working on in the 1890s, The Sirens is the only one in which alluring and seductive glances feature. In these enigmatic and fleeting sensuality is captured, which reflects the aging artist confessing his own attractions. At his age and with his experience he was able to give play to his true feelings in these drawings, without reference to a classical or mythical context. The uninhibited relationship between the sitter and the artist enabled such a freedom.
The model was used for The Car of Love. There is a Hollyer photograph of her dated 1895 and a red chalk study of the same model, dated 1896.