On the reverse of the finished watercolour Signed and dated: EBJ 1870; , in the artists hand: Phyllis and Demophoon "dic mihi quid feci? nisi non sapientier amavi" E Burne Jones The Grange Northend Fulham. This quote is taken from Ovid's Epistles Book 2, where in a letter to Dermophoon, Phyllis is rebuking him for his neglect and asks "What have I done? Except perhaps to have lov'd you to excess". In the studies Burne-Jones has depicted a man in fear which was mollified in the final work and he appears remorseful rather than frightened. The model for Dermophoon's face and body is said to have been Gaetano Meo.
A study for the figure of Demophoön in the watercolour Phyllis and Demophoön (Birmingham City Art Gallery), exhibited at the Old Water-Colour Society in 1870. The nude male figure caused offence and Burne-Jones was asked to withdraw the picture, leading to his resignation. However, the picture was bought by the shipowner F.R. Leyland, and formed part of the famous 'aesthetic' interior he was to create at 49 Prince's Gate. A larger oil version, entitled The Tree of Forgiveness (Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight), was painted 1881-2, but the present study is undoubtedly for the early watercolour