The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon (Museo de Arte, Ponce, Puerto Rico), Burne-Jones's largest oil painting, was commissioned in 1881 by his friend and patron George Howard, Earl of Carlisle. As time passed, however, and the picture assumed the status of a great personal statement, Howard resigned his right to it and Burne-Jones continued to work on it for his own satisfaction. It was still unfinished at his death in June 1898. This drawing is a study for the Queen who sits in the foreground at the King's feet, playing a sort of bass viol or primitive cello. A watercolour study for this instrument, possibly by a studio assistant rather than Burne-Jones himself, was sold in these Rooms on 7 June 2001, lot 35.
One of a series of nude studies in crayon for the chief figures. Incorrectly dated for 1882, when the design was much simpler and did not consist of the seated and crouching musicians.