It is recorded by Schidlof (Vol. II, p. 824) that Anna Tonnelli was the drawing teacher to the children of the second Lord Clive, with whom she lived in London and India between 1794-1797.

This miniature dates from this period as the sitter, John Adamson Rice (1776-1800), brother of Henry Rice (see lot 90) was in India and fought in the Battle of Sering Patam. He was made Governor of Madras and died in India