In 1888, Carl and Karin Larsson moved to Lilla Hyttnäs which became their joint art project. However, once Carl became famous with his beautiful watercolours of family and domestic life, he began to receive prestigious commissions. In 1896 he painted the frescoes for the foyer of the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm. The National Museum has a collection of his sketches including this, with opera singers rehearsing for a gala performance of Cora och Alonzo.