This picture previously was sold at Sotheby's, April 19, 1968, lot 11. According to tradition, the sitter is a member of the Virginia
Fitzhugh family. Hesselius was commissioned to paint portraits of numerous members of this family. For further information on Hesselius' relationship with the Fitzhughs, please see Richard K. Doud, "The Fitzhugh Portraits by John Hesselius," Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 75 (April, 1967, no. 2) pp. 159-173.