One of a group of nude and drapery studies in Birmingham's collection by Burne-Jones, originating from a sketchbook. The study, although identified as 'Winter', does not seem to be related to any depictions of the Season dating from the 1860s, particularly 1869's 'Lapse of the Year' (gouache, Private Collection).
Burne-Jones's first reaction to the commission was to produce sketches which were more animated than the final panels ( Victoria and Albert Museum E.2899-1927. The flying draperies in this study were subdued for the final figure. (Cartoon held at Kelmscott Manor).