Ethelreda ‘Audrey’ Harrison (see RN56) married Charles, later 3rd Viscount Townshend, on 29 May 1723 and this painting is likely to have been painted soon after her marriage. Charles Jervas began to work for the Townshend family around 1723 and received many commissions from them during the 1720s. He also painted Ethelreda’s sister-in-law, Henrietta, in c.1725 (RN58). 

This portrait shows Ethelreda in a riding habit and the costume and pose is closely related to a portrait of Margaret Rolle painted by Charles Jervas around the same time (Strawberry Hill Collection Trust). In 1724 Margaret, daughter and sole heiress of Samuel Rolle MP, married Robert Walpole, eldest son of Sir Robert Walpole of Houghton, neighbours, political associates and relatives of the Townshend family. Jervas was extensively patronised by both families and appears to have executed almost identical portraits of the new brides of the respective heirs, varying only minor details and the faces of the sitters.