 In May 1843 , Etty was one of eight artists chosen by Prince Albert to paint frescoes on the theme of Milton 's Comus for a new pavilion being built in the grounds of Buckingham Palace . Etty was unhappy with his selection , as fresco was a medium with which he had no experience , but reluctantly did so , choosing to paint on the theme of Circe and the Sirens Three . The result was a disaster . Etty found himself unable to retouch or alter his existing work , as any freshly applied paint would flake away from the existing paint layer , and the lunette shape of the panel left Etty with a large empty space above the central figures . Etty 's fresco was deemed unsalvageable , and although he offered to paint a replacement on the theme of Hesperus he was rejected , and William Dyce was commissioned to paint a replacement fresco . Etty was paid only a token £ 40 fee . 
