The original watercolour on which this photogravure is based, is the third and final painting of the very first series of the 'Legend of the Briar Rose' (the fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty') that Burne-Jones executed between 1871-73 (now in the Museo de Arte, Ponce, Puerto Rico). The first series was comprised of three paintings total, the first and the third panels being two of the most highly sexualised images in Burne-Jones's oeuvre. Two of the three sleeping female figures were modelled on Maria Zambaco, particularly the incredibly sensual image of the sleeping princess. Three other completed images are also extant, with little or no deviation from this composition. The first is a single painting entitled 'The Sleeping Beauty', dated 1871 (Manchester City Art Gallery), and is completely independent, not part of any series. The second is the most highly finished version of this scene, installed at Buscot Park, Berkshire, part of the Faringdon Collection, dating from 1873-90. The third, was a gift to his daughter Margaret, the model for the princess, on her wedding to J W Mackail, and dates from 1886-1888 (Collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber).