This miniature is a copy of the heads of the Princess and the dog from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds in the Royal Collection (RCIN 400937), and sometimes called 'Little Innocent'. Princess Sophia Matilda (1773-1844) was the daughter of William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Maria, Dowager Countess of Waldegrave, and the niece of George III.

It is thought that the artist was Richard Crosse (1742-1810) who was born near Cullompton, Devonshire. He was a deaf mute and took up miniature painting as a hobby, then went to London to study at Shipley's Drawing School. He was appointed Painter in Enamel to George III in 1788. He painted many leading figures of the day and was a prolific worker – in 1777 he produced about 100 miniatures. Crosse also painted a miniature of the Princess' father (RCIN 420120). The technique used here by Crosse, of watercolour on enamel, is unusual and was apparently intended to imitate a fired enamel miniature.