Stephanie-Félicité Ducrest de Saint-Aubin, comtesse de Genlis (1746-1830) was governess to the family of the duc de Chartres. She was an educationalist and novelist. Her advanced teaching methods included magic lantern slides and country walks with a professional botanist. She is best known for her moral stories for children, Les Veillées du château (Tales of the Castle), which were published in 1784 and translated into English in 1785.

It is thought that this miniature is probably a copy of a portrait by the Swedish miniaturist, Pierre-Adolphe Hall (1739-93), as it is painted in his style but lacks his sensitivity and delicacy. No miniaturist called Hall with the initial F is known.

The miniature is inscribed with what is probably a false signature: FHall on the tree trunk.