Mary Ann Breton was the daughter of Captain Peter Breton of Polygon, Southampton. In 1841 she married Horatio Francis Kingsford Holloway of Marchwood, Hampshire, who, on coming of age, changed his name from Martelli, and in accordance with his grandfather's will, took the name and arms of Holloway, and succeeded to his estates at Marchwood. Their son Horatio Edward was born in 1846.

Buckner's account books list a portrait of Mrs. Holloway on 2 June 1851, and the sum paid for it was #157 10s. Another entry on 20 May 1853 lists a further portrait of her for #84, and on 14 February 1854, a portrait of Master Holloway as a Highland Piper also for #84; this latter portrait was exhibited at the British Institution in 1854, no.223.

The Art Journal of 1852 wrote of the present portrait when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy that 'there is much grace in the dispositions', but went on to criticise the glazing of the picture.

We are grateful to Brian Stewart for his help in cataloguing this lot.