The present work is a group of studies for Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones’ personification of the female figure of Fortune in The Wheel of Fortune (1883, Musée d'Orsay, Paris). The monumental work was completed over eight years and, when exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1883, it hung in the place of honor in the West Gallery opposite the main entrance.
Fitzwilliam worklist 1875 ... began the Large Fortune and a small replica in watercolour of the (Troy Fortune for Dilke) (Sir Charles Dilke 1843-1911) An interesting page of sketches that gives an insight into the working methods of the Studio. Such was the skill of T M Rooke that Burne-Jones could rely on him to produce drawings upon which he would add final touches. In this drawing two chalk studies are by the Master and the watercolour was made by Rooke whilst the model was actually posing. This process explains how Burne-Jones was capable of producing such a large body of work and reveals an intimate working method with his assistants and indicates the difficulties in dis-entagling the complex web of the Studio's activities.