Natoire effortlessly transformed mythological themes into elegant scenes. River gods and water nymphs (naiads) were popular motifs. Carl Gustaf Tessin acquired this piece at the Paris Salon in 1740. Tessin’s art collection is an important part of the Nationalmuseum collections. Due to economic problems, Tessin had to sell it to Fredrik I in 1749. After the death of Gustav III, the state took over the ownership of the royal art collections.