Henrietta Laura Pulteney, the Earl of Bath's only daughter, is about 11 years old. She is portrayed while picking flowers in a landscape. Described as an 'indefatigable dancer' she is wearing a white cap topped by a dark green feather and a lace-trimmed gown of sheer white fabric. Her costume may reflect her personality but can also be seen to reflect the change in attitude towards children at the end of the 18th century, which allowed them to be less like miniature adults. The setting of the portrait and Henrietta's white and flowing dress may allude to the child's natural innocence and purity. However, the pink sash tied around her waist may also suggest that Henrietta is on the cusp of becoming a young woman.

Henrietta became Baroness Bath in 1792 and Countess of Bath in 1805. She was known as a colourful and independently minded personality who frequently ignored social conventions and etiquette.

Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was a child prodigy, producing her first commissioned painting before the age of 13. She was influenced by Correggio and the Carracci family and copied their works in galleries as part of her artistic training. She became a highly regarded and popular painter of her time, treating most of her attractive and finely drawn subjects in the sentimental fashion typical of the 18th century. As a testament to her remarkable success, she was in 1768 chosen to become a founder member of the Royal Academy, London.

This portrait is an unusual representation of a full-length picture on what would normally be the size of canvas for a head and shoulder portrait. Do you think this adds to the intimate quality of the painting and how it fits its representation of childhood?