The drawing was begun c. 1865 as a study in red chalk for The Hours (Sheffield Art Gallery), a painting conceived at this time but not completed until 1882. At a later date (c. 1880?), the work in waxy coloured chalks was added to transform it into an independent design, the figure being given an hour-glass to make her personify 'Time'. Burne-Jones would often develop old drawings in this way in order to exhibit them; it is significant that the signature on the present example is in the coloured chalk used for the re-work