The drawing dates from early in Crane's career when he belonged to a group of young artists who exhibited at the Dudley Gallery, saw themselves as followers of Burne-Jones, and were dubbed by hostile critics the 'Poetry-without-Grammar School'. It was probably made during a visit to his friends Mr and Mrs Randle Wilbraham of Rode Hall, Cheshire, which took place at this time, possibly even recording a view in the grounds. According to Crane, Rode Hall was 'a country mansion of early nineteenth-century type, situated in a park, with a fine lake much frequented by waterfowl' (An Artist's Reminiscences 1907, p. 93).