The painting is based on old, fascinating familly story, about relations across the sea - to Scotland and Ireland - dating back many hundred years.

This misty past, and fragments of stories, has inspired many of Tone Aanderaa's paintings - and also a character in her fantasy novel 'Det store Puslespillet', Prince Lionheart, a very very old story-telling cat. The cat is also present in the 'Sanctuary' painting.