The sitter was an important figure in Scottish history and great-grandfather of James VI and I. In 1514 he married the dowager Queen, Margaret Tudor (1489-1541); who had been Regent during the minority of her son, James V (1512-1542), but forfeited this post as a result of her marriage. Angus fought to regain the regency and power within Scotland, firstly on behalf of his wife, and then, after the failure of their marriage, on his own behalf. Angus gained guardianship of James V in 1526; the couple were divorced in 1528 and in 1529 Angus was ousted by rival factions and fled to England. On the death of James V in 1542, Angus returned to Scotland representing the interests of Henry VIII, but never succeeded in gaining the trust of any faction or lasting influence.

The identification of the sitter is traditional rather than documented; many copies have been generated from this generally accepted image. It appears to show a man of forty, which would date the work to around 1530 and would be consistent with his costume. The artist has traditionally been given as ‘Jannet’ (Jean or François Clouet); it may be a French artist working in Scotland or a Scot influenced by the latest styles of French portraiture available at the time. The sitter is shown in head and shoulders, facing slightly to the right, wearing a dark coat over a red costume, a ruff and a black flat hat; around his neck hangs a heart-shaped locket with a pendant pearl.