This miniature may be based on a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds in the Royal Collection (RCIN 400937), sometimes called 'Little Innocent'. Samuel Shelley is known to have copied Reynolds' work and was much in demand for his portraits of children. But this portrait differs from the original enough to suggest that it may have been painted from life. Princess Sophia Matilda (1773-1844) was the niece of George III, daughter of his brother Prince William Henry, duke of Gloucester and Maria, countess dowager of Waldegrave. Sophia never married nor had any children. She lived at New Lodge in Winkfield, near Windsor. She died on 29 November 1844 and is buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Although the miniature is unsigned, the artist is thought to be Samuel Shelley (1756-1808), who was born in Whitechapel, London, and entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1774. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1774 to 1804 and his work included oil paintings and watercolours as well as miniatures.