Lady Burne-Jones in 'Memorials', II, p. 24 records the incident which inspired this work: '... on the way to Rome, between Monte Fiascone and Viterbo, Edward fell asleep and had a dream of the nine muses on Mount Helicon, so distinct that he drew it on awaking'. This Italian trip was in 1871, so the picture either dates from that year or from 1872. The sketchbook containing a note of the composition is in the collection of Miss Mary Chamot.