This study may be related to sketches of docks and grasses made at Brighton in July 1828, now in the British Museum (see Reynolds, op. cit., nos. 28.14, 28.15 and 28.16); an earlier date of 1810-12 has also been suggested because of the background colouring.
Thomas Barratt was a director of A.F. Pears, the soap manufacturers, and had an important collection of paintings, including Millais' Bubbles, used in the firm's famous advertisement.