Edward Burne-Jones is often considered part of the second generation of Pre-Raphaelites, and is closely associated with the Aesthetic movement. He was a prolific artist: as well as painting, tapestries and book illustrations, he designed stained-glass, mosaics, jewellery and ceramics tiles. His dream-like compositions capture themes of love, nobility and spirituality through myths and legends, often using figures which are remarkable for their sculptural qualities and androgynous presence. The impact of Burne-Jones’ several trips to Italy, where he studied Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, is evident in his work.

In the 1870s Burne-Jones conceived several series of large paintings illustrating mythological narratives such as Cupid and Psyche, Perseus and the Trojan War. A multi-panelled study shows the way he builds up his figures into full-sized forms that, in The wheel of fortune 1871–85, seem to spill out of the composition and give the work a sense of immense scale. Many large paintings remained in his studio at the time of his death: the elongated format of some suggests they may have been intended for an architectural context.