The picture shows the violinist Maurice Sons (1857-1942) playing in a raised recess in Alma-Tadema's studio at his house in Grove End Road. He is being accompanied by a player on the artist's famous piano, which was in the same recess but does not appear in the picture. In the background can be seen some of the Mexican onyx windows which were a notable feature of the lavish decor. Formerly occupied by Tissot, the house had been taken over by Alma-Tadema in 1884 and transformed into the most spectacular studio house of its day.

Born in Amsterdam, Sons came to Britain in 1885 when he was offered the leadership of the Scottish (Choral Union) Orchestra. In 1904 he became leader of the Queen's Hall Orchestra in London, holding the post until 1927. He was much in demand as a solo performer and was violin professor at the Royal College of Music 1903-27, becoming a Fellow of the college on his retirement.

Alma-Tadema had a passion for music. Famous singers or instrumentalists often performed at his Tuesday gatherings, and he painted a number of portraits of musicians, either in gratitiude for these performances or on commission. His likeness of the singer George Henschel, accompanying himself on the already-mentioned piano (1879), was sold in these Rooms on 25 October 1991, lot 32. Other sitters included Hans Richter, Paderewski, Joachim, J.D. De Soria and Ilona Eibenschutz.