This miniature, painted in the mid-1760s, has in the past been listed as a portrait of John Howard (1753-1799), the prison reformer. Howard, however, disliked sitting for his portrait and there are only a few in existence, all of which were painted much later and emphasise his very prominent Roman nose. There is, therefore, some doubt as to whether this is a portrait of Howard.

The identity of the artist is unknown.

Inscribed on the back with the dealer's number 4300 and an inventory number B.C. 83.