This drawing is a study of Bessie Keene, who was the model for the head of the woman in “Love Among the Ruins”. Burne-Jones painted his final version of this subject in 1893. Burne-Jones was deeply concerned with technical perfection in his drawing. He discussed his use of pencil with his studio assistant, T.M.Rooke: `I never use it to sketch with, I use it as a finishing instrument. But it's always touch and go whether I can manage it even now. Sometimes knots will come in it and I can never get them out, I mean little black specks. There's no drawing I consider perfect.'(1) 1. Mary Lago (editor), Burne-Jones Talking, (John Murray, London, 1980), page 84 (18th January 1896)