The theatrical pose, stage drapery and armour of the subject of this painting has led to the suggestion that it may be a portrait of the famous castrato Carlo Broscni, il Farinelli, (1705-1782). After a meteoric career across Europe, he went to Spain from 1737 till 1759 when he returned to Italy where he remained until his death. His portrait of 1750-2 by Jacopo Amigoni is in the National Gallery of Victoria and shows marked similarities to the present portrait