In 1963, Trevelyan was struck down by meningitis with stroke-like symptoms that initially affected his speech and movement, and for a time, he was unable to paint. Along with a group of therapists, Mary Fedden worked with him, and gradually he regained his abilities. She persuaded him to start drawing again, and so began a new phase and style of his work. At first, drawing with children’s coloured crayons, he discovered a new interest in strong colours, and his paintings became bolder and more direct, with stronger, simpler lines. He also brought new energy to etching, setting up the Durham Wharf studio with a printing press and related equipment.

Travel played an important part in the Treveyans' recovery, and in 1964, they visited Crete with John Craxton. Crete was followed by their important 1965 trip to Florence, which resulted in a flowering of work, including the popular Florence Suite of etchings (1965-66; including an image of the same name), the large 1965 oil Florence at Night (Durham University Collection), as well this painting.