Mrs Sargent was about to get married when she sat for Romney for this portrait. On the table is a marble relief of a wedding scene, The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche. The other objects on the table demonstrate her character and interests. The statuette of Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom, suggests she is wise; the drawing instrument tells us she is artistic and the book shows her learning.
Romney painted the picture not long after his return from Rome, where he had studied classical sculpture. His works became very fashionable again in the late 19th century.
