She is shown in a riding habit customised to resemble the uniform of the South Hampshire Militia of which her husband was colonel.

[1] At the time there was a patriotic outburst following the entry of first France and Spain into the American War of Independence.

Reynolds spotted Lady Worsley wearing her riding costume at Coxheath military camp.

[2] She later became involved in a notorious scandal in 1782 when she ran off with her lover, who was sued by her husband for criminal conversation.

The painting was last purchased by American businessman Stephen Schwarzman from the collection of Harewood House in Yorkshire for £25 million.