The evident charm of this sitter is characteristic of the work of Sir Godfrey Kneller and his studio, most probably Edward Byng. Edward Byng (circa 1676–1753) trained as an artist and became an assistant to Godfrey Kneller, circa 1693. At the time of Kneller’s death in 1723 Byng was his chief assistant and lived with him at a house in Great Queen Street. Kneller’s will recorded that Byng had “for many years faithfully served me”, gave him a pension of £100 a year and entrusted him with seeing that Kneller’s unfinished work was completed, for which he would receive the outstanding payments.