distraught that his treasured watercolour was irretrievably damaged in paris in 1893, burne-jones immediately painted a second version in oils, which was exhibited at the new gallery in 1894. the oil painting measures . it is signed and dated, bottom right: "ebj 1894". a hand-written note by burne-jones on the back of the painting reads: "this oil painting of ‘love among the ruins’ is the same design as the one of the same name which i painted in watercolours, twenty one years ago, but which was destroyed in august last year. the present picture i began at once, and have made it as like as possible to the other, and have finished it this day. april 23. 1894.edward burne jones."