The subject illustrates the first part of John Milton’s pastoral poem Il Penseroso (The Melancholy Man) published in 1645. The man walks hand in hand with Melancholy, dressed in black and accompanied by Peace and Quiet. At the same time he is looking over his shoulder at nymphs, representing mirth and joyfulness which had been celebrated in Milton’s companion poem, L’Allegro (The Happy Man). The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1851. Signed and dated: I C Horsley. 1850 (initials in monogram). Inscribed on the back with the title, the name of the artist and the date, 1850.