This portrait was painted shortly after the Allan’s return from Italy in 1779. It is believed to represent Ann Harker (1730-90). In 1775 she became the second wife of the highly successful gem engraver and modeller James Tassie. They were married in London on 25 December, but very little is known about her. Allan and Tassie, the most distinguished pupils of The Foulis Academy, in Glasgow, remained lifelong friends and occasional collaborators. Allan’s painted a pendant portrait of Tassie, which is in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. When Tassie died in 1799, his nephew William took management of the family business. In 1860, William bequeathed this portrait and its pendant to the newly opened Scottish National Gallery as part of the foundation collection.