Prometeus Unbound was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1874, number 687. The painting is illustrated in A. M. W. Stirling’s The Richmond Papers, 1926, opposite p.156. The present drawing must respresent an early scheme for the subject. In the finished work the figure of Hercules stands high above that of Prometeus and is seen turning towards the spectator with his left arm and bow rising vertically to the top edge of the composition. The figure of Prometeus reclines as in the drawing but is turned away from the viewpoint of the spectator. A drawing which more closely corresponds to the finished picture is reproduced on p. 431 of The Richmond Papers. Prometeus Unbound is now in the collection of the Birmingham City Art Gallery.