The source for this copy in miniature is a double portrait of 1828 showing the Countess with her daughter Eliza-beth Georgiana, later Duchess of Argyll (1824 – 78), in the collection of the Countess of Sutherland, Dunrobin Castle. The date of the acquisition of this miniature is unclear as the inventories suggest a date prior to the date on its reverse. It is possible, however, that the first and last lines were added to the signature, as they are not wholly consistent with the script 'Marras'; notwithstanding this discrepancy, the miniature was still one of the earliest acquisitions to the Queen's personal collection of miniatures.

Lady Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Howard, third daughter of George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle, and Lady Georgiana Cavendish, daughter of William, 5th Duke of Devonshire, married, in 1823, George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Earl Gower, later 2nd Duke of Sutherland. The Duchess of Sutherland was Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria at the time of her accession in 1837 until 1841, and again 1846 – 52, 1853 – 8 and 1859 – 61.

Signed and dated on the reverse in ink: [Constantino] / Marras / [fecit. 1838] (the first and last lines possibly later additions)