George Knollis Jarvis (1802–1873) was the son of Colonel George Ralph Payne Jarvis (d. 1851) and Philadelphia Blackwell. He married Emily Pretyman, and was the father of George Eden Jarvis (1840–1918). George Knollis Jarvis, who owned Doddington between 1851 and 1873, made substantial renovations to the house, including the re-leading of the cupolas. He also renewed the fenestration in the church and improved the grounds.

The portrait is attributed here to Charles Henry Augustus Lutyens (1829–1915). Other comparable portraits by Lutyens include David Milne Home and Jean Milne Home (Paxton House). Lutyens, who was also a professional soldier, was the father of the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens; he named his son after his friend and fellow artist Sir Edwin Landseer.