In Greek mythology, Hebe was the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She married Heracles, had the power to convey youthfulness and was often depicted as the cupbearer of the gods.

This miniature appears to be a copy of a painting in the style of Jean-Marc Nattier (1685-1766). Nattier was one of the most successful artists at the court of Louis XV, specialising in painting women in mythological or allegorical costume. His style had a pastel-like delicacy which gave rise to the contemporary comment that he 'painted with make-up'. An inscription on the back of the miniature identifies the sitter as 'La Marquise de Pompadour', but it does does not resemble any accepted portraits of the sitter so this may be incorrect.

Inscribed on the back in nineteenth-century handwriting: La Marquise de Pompado[ur].