From the 1870s onwards Burne-Jones had an established method in the development towards a final painting. Beginning with rough exploratory sketches, he would gradually define his compositions through multiple individual sketches, isolating every detail within the scene and experimenting with various designs until he was completely satisfied with the final result. The present work is likely to be an example of one of Burne-Jones's preparatory sketches - a background detail to a larger composition - using his typical rich primary colour palette seen in so many of his watercolour compositions. Influenced by the Italian masters of the Renaissance combined with his ability to portray emotion and expression in his figures, Burne-Jones stands as one of the leading artists of his generation; a principal contributor to the Aesthetic movement, responsible for the rejuvenation of the tradition of stained glass art in Britain, and a key figure in nineteenth century British art.
Burne-Jones is working on ideas for the background of The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon.