The inspiration for the commission was the famous and influential ballet dancer, Marie Taglioni (1804-1884) and the ballet, "Endymion" in which she appeared in 1845. Hence the title by which the Cotterill and the Garrard piece is known, "The Taglioni Testimonial".

The commission for the Taglioni piece was reported and illustrated with a complimentary woodcut engraving of the composition in "The Illustrated London News" of 19 September 1846. Talbot's photograph of the composition was therefore probably taken some time after that date.