Inscribed on reverse "By E.B.J. of great Value given me by Exors either of his or of Sir Philips Estate, after 1920 probably Perhaps noted on one of them TMR" In the large painting of the subject in the Ringling Collection, the Sirens, centre left, are portrayed extending their arms over the rocks passively, this drawing demonstrates the the artist explored more animated attitudes during the painting's development.
A photograph of an old label attached to the reverse of the frame reads: 'By E.B.J./of great value/given me by Exors either of his/or Sir Philip's Estate, after 1920/probably/Perhaps noted on one/of them/TMR'. A study for The Sirens (Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida), a picture designed in 1870 but still not finished at Burne-Jones's death twenty-eight years later. The drawing can be dated to the late 1880s when the artist had a phase of using this particular type of chalk and paper. T.M. Rooke was Burne-Jones's studio assistant from 1869. According to the inscription in his hand, he was given the drawing by the executors either of Burne-Jones himself or of his son Philip (died 1926). A drawing by Burne-Jones with the same provenance was sold in these Rooms on 14 June 1992, lot 79