This was Turner's only exhibit at the Royal Academy in 1822 and is in strong contrast to the large pictures resulting from his Italian visit in 1819 and shown in 1820, 1823 and 1826. Rather it develops the playful mood of the foreground figures in 'Richmond Hill', approaching closer to their source in Watteau. This was realised by the critics, who otherwise seem to have been baffled by Turner's change of tack. The Literary Gazette for 25 May 1822 described it as 'a garden-scene, and nothing else; a sketch, and no more. It is a pretty bit of colouring, something in the style of Watteau', and the Repository of the Arts, Literature, Fashions for 1 June called it 'a whimsical attempt at Watteau'. For The Examiner of 13 May 'Mr Turner has nothing of Art this season in the Exhibition. He has only a piece of coloured canvas, called . . . What you will!' All made great play with the title, Shakespeare's alternative title for Twelfth Night, and it is probably another of Turner's puns. For a later tribute to Watteau see No.334.