Formerly attributed to Thomas Hudson, this canvas has recently been reattributed to Joseph Wright of Derby. It was probably painted during the period of Wright’s employment in Hudson’s studio in 1756–57 or very shortly afterwards. The costume is a type of fancy dress worn to masquerades known in the 18th century as Van Dyck dress, though in fact based on a portrait by Rubens. The same dress is repeated in several portraits by Hudson and Wright.