Arthur Severn was the husband of Joan Ruskin Agnew, the cousin of John Ruskin who lived as companion to his mother after her husband’s death, and who, together with Arthur, became Ruskin’s own travelling companion and later his carer in the terrible twilight years at Brantwood. She is described affectionately in Praeterita, as is also a visit to Arthur’s father (as he turns out to be), Joseph, in his studio in Rome.

This painting was bought by Ruskin's father when it was first exhibited and given to his son, who was delighted with it and hung it in his drawing-room at Brantwood; at his death it passed to the Severn family who had cared for him in his old age.