This is one of four sheets of sketches for 'The Feast of Peleus' which originally appeared as the central predella in the 'Troy Triptych', and then later as an independent oil painting (1872-81) now in Birmingham's Collection.

Preliminary design for the 'Story of Troy', originally intended as a linear triptych: left panel depicts the Judgment of Paris, middle shows the Feast of Peleus, and the right panel shows Eris, goddess of discord plucking a golden apple from the Tree of the Hesperides, with Ladon, the tree's dragon-guardian asleep at its base.

There are some humourous sketches beneath the triptych layout, including Burne-Jones's fat woman and the artist himself in a top hat standing in a ringed cage.

On the reverse is a study of a medieval castle interior, with a kneeling figure making a presentation of some kind before the king and queen. This may be Paris revealing his true identity before his parents, Queen Hecuba and King Priam of Troy.