William Wise (1847- 1889) assisted in the studio of F W Moody, who was a lecturer and decorator of the South Kensington Museum. He was involved with the decoration of the Gamble Room, which was opened in 1868, Wise therefore was assisting in the painting and installation of the stained glass at the time when Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company were decorating and glazing the Green Dining Room. It is very likely therefore that he encountered Burne-Jones at this time. The present portrait has similarities to Legros's example (Aberdeen Art Gallery) which corroborates 1869 as the likely date.