The accompanying letter states that the painting was in an exhibition of Samples from China at the Turgot School, in 1864, organized by M. A Chatelain, delegate from the Ministry of Commerce. The portrait was given to him after the exhibition to express his gratitude. This original only left Mr. Chatelain once, on request of his former employer and friend, Mr. Chemin Dupontes, chief of the commercial movement at the Ministry of Commerce, economist and redactor of the Journal des Debats. The portrait "is of the most beautiful woman" from the 'Bateaux de fleurs' (Boats of flowers) of Canton during the commercial exhibition of France, in 1846.