Colville’s work ultimately evolves toward subjects grounded in recognizable locations from his life, but imbued with a sense of history and import that belie their seemingly humble origins. Here, he adopts a conventional depiction of the Three Graces (Aglaia, representing elegance and splendour; Thalia, representing youth, beauty, and cheerfulness; and Euphrosyne, representing mirth and joyfulness). With their accompanying attributions, they reflect the beauty and promise of youth—as do the girls caught in their preparations for their swim.