Alongside Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough, George Romney was one of the most celebrated portraitists of his day. Strong classical influence appeared in Romney’s work following a tour of Italy from 1773 to 1775. This drawing was made around the time that Romney was working on a commission (later withdrawn) for an altarpiece for the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. The subject of the painting was the Mater Dolorosa—the lamentation of Mary over the body of Christ—and this composition may have some connection to that project.