Note on the Edition: Declared to the Print Sellers Association on October 30th 1899. 250 Artist's Proofs on vellum at 10 guineas, 25 Presentation Proofs. No other state and the plate to be destroyed. The painting was begun in 1870 and exhibited at The Grosvenor Gallery in 1882. It was bought by Constantine Alexander Ionides and bequeathed to the Victoria and Albert Museum with the rest of his collection in 1900. The painting underwent considerable modifications throughout the twelve years of its progress. In particular the flowery meadow in the foreground was painted out. It is interesting to note that the etching restores this.