In this touching composition a young woman has been depicted wearing a dark coloured dress, draped at the bodice with a gauzy silk scarf and with pearls and large diamonds, over a white chemise, the attire is indicative of the sitters wealth. The portrait can be dated to circa 1673 and 1680 based on the sitter�s hairstyle and clothing.The image serves as a poignant reminder of the historic function of the portrait miniature, which features prominently in the composition. The portable nature of the miniature, and indeed the cost of obtaining one, meant that often these little portraits were the only likeness one would own of an intimate � usually a lover, spouse, or a child. In this work, the miniature depicting a young boy, between the age of six to ten, is presumed to be her son. Miniature painting developed in the early 16th century out of the tradition of illuminating manuscripts (hand-written books). In England, miniature was predominantly a portrait art that was undertaken by specialist miniature painters.By tradition the sitter in our portrait is Ann Curran. It is very plausible that our portrait is the same one that was in the collection of The Most Honourable Maria Arabella, Dowager Marchioness of Lansdowne, which was sold after her death. The sale was described as a �Collection of Valuable Paintings� on 13 July 1833, by auctioneers Mr George Robins, at her home Wycombe Lodge, Kensington, London, Lot 2 (as �A painting, portrait of Curran�). Wycombe Lodge was built in 1829, the same year the Dowager took up residence. Mary Arabella Maddox was the daughter of Reverend Hinton Maddox. She married Duke Gifford about 1781 and later she married, John Henry Petty, 2nd Marquess of Lansdowne, son of General William Petty, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne and Lady Sophia Carteret, in 1805. She died on 24 April 1833.The face has been finely depicted and the costume rendered with a certain amount of simplified control, which was typical of the works of Jo...