This is a rare example of a Dutch picture from George IV's collection which has fallen from grace. It was hanging prominently in the state rooms of Carlton House in 1819 (as incidentally were the other two Metsus in the collection - CW 101, 405534 and CW 102, 405943). Soon after this it was recognised (by J. Smith) as a copy of the painting at Upton House, Banbury.

A woman, wearing a fur-trimmed short blue coat over a silk dress, is seated with a book on her lap near a mantelpiece supported by marble columns with corinthian capitals; she looks at a young man who stands behind a table tuning his lute.