The sitter, Andrew W. Mellon [1855-1937], Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.; gift to his attorney, Donald D. Shepard [1893-1966], Washington, D.C.;[1] gift 1953 to NGA. [1] Mr. Mellon lent the painting to three exhibitions in the early 1930s, so presumably gave the painting to Mr. Shepard after the exhibition in 1934 and before his death in 1937. Mr. Shepard also owned the oil sketch done for this painting by Melchers, given to him by Mrs. Ailsa Mellon Bruce, who in turn had received it from her father. It measures 23 5/8" x 18" and is signed and dated in the upper left: Gari Melchers. / Washington. 1930 (per notes in NGA curatorial files).