Etty was a celebrated painter, born to pious methodists of York. He was quoted as saying that ‘as all human beauty was concentrated in women, he would dedicate himself to paint her’. He chose subjects from the bible and the great poets that required prominent female nudes. In mid-October of 1845, Etty arrived unexpectedly in Edinburgh with his brother and his niece. He wanted to show them three of his major paintings, which had been bought by the Royal Scottish Academy. The academy hurriedly organised a reception for him and Hill took advantage of the occasion to invite the Ettys to Rock House to be photographed.