An intermediate working of a section of "The Prince Enters the Briar Thicket", without the Knight entering. The simplicity of the original design for tiles with its horizontal arrangement of figures has been replaced with foreshortened contrapposto, more sensual figures. The contorted figuration was abandoned in the final version, which makes this painting unique within the series. Similar contorted figures appear in the Troy polyptych c 1870. (Birmingham Art Gallery)