First exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1886, Leighton's model of Needless Alarms was one of the first examples of New Sculpture which handled the naked form in strong contraposto. The stretched muscles of the young girl's body in its twisted pose are successfully displayed as she turns in fright to find a frog at her feet.
Leighton presented the original bronze of Needless Alarms to the painter Millais, who had shown a great liking for it. In thanks, Millais painted Shelling Peas for Leighton.