Master Sparkes was the son of James Sparkes of the Indian Civil Service. G. C. Williamson H. L. D. Engleheart (op. cit.) record that Master Sparkes sat to Engleheart in 1790. Mr Sparkes sat to Engleheart in 1790 and Mrs Sparkes sat to him in 1796. The miniatures were in the same sale as the present portrait in 1963 (lots 122 and 123); the father came up again at Christie's, 21 November 2000, lot 126 and another miniature of him by Engleheart was sold Sotheby's, London, 10 December 1946, lot 93. A miniature of the sitter's mother by George Engleheart was sold Christie's, London, 18 May 1965, lot 39.