The ancient woodland of Epping Forest in Essex, a large tract of uncultivated land to the north east of London, had long held a fascination for Epstein. Since 1922 he had rented a number of properties in the area, as a retreat from the bustle and diversions of London. Epping Forest was completed during a frenetic summer of painting in 1933 in which Epstein completed nearly a hundred watercolours.