The 1920s was a period of significant experimentation for Gillies. He had secured a part-time teaching post at Edinburgh College of Art in 1925. In 1927 he had travelled extensively in France. 1928 saw him exhibit in London for the first time.
He was clearly open to and absorbing many differet ideas and influences. Here for example the style of the painting suggests an homage to Andre Derain. There are however also similarities with the work of two of his painter colleagues, Adam Bruce Thomson, and William MacTaggart.