Much of the canvas was destroyed in a fire in 1723 and the painting was subsequently recut to its present dimensions, though a preparatory sketch shows the full group.

The paintings are accompanied by preparatory sketches in pencil, charcoal and watercolour.

This exhibition modifies any such opinion, showing many pages of preparatory sketches from his notebooks, which indicate a much longer process of drafting and redrafting.

The event fascinated the young artist, and before he began work on the final painting, he undertook extensive research and produced many preparatory sketches.

A number represent alternate incarnations or preparatory sketches for his paintings.