Focus on The Nativity (Burne-Jones) and analyze the Studies.
Several studies for The Nativity have survived. A pencil drawing sold at Sotheby's New York in 2012 places Joseph on the right, while an 1887 pastel sketch in the Garman-Ryan Collection at The New Art Gallery Walsall shows the final composition but a very different colour palette. The position of Mary and Jesus echoes Burne-Jones' design for a bronze relief of the Nativity of 1879.  The relief was commissioned by George Howard, 9th Earl of Carlisle as part of a monument to his parents for Lanercost Priory, Cumbria.  A drawing of this design is in the Fitzwilliam Museum.
Joseph Jesus Mary The New Art Gallery Walsall Fitzwilliam Museum Sotheby's George Howard, 9th Earl of Carlisle Lanercost Priory Garman-Ryan Collection