The sitter has been identified in the past as Sarah Hussey Delaval (1760–1800), later Lady Tyrconnel, daughter of Sir John Hussey Delaval, married to George Carpenter, second Earl of Tyrconnell (1750–1805) on 3 June 1780. If the sitter is Sarah Hussey Delaval, it cannot have been painted before c.1780, yet the portrait looks much earlier. A comparison with James McArdell’s engraving after Rhoda Delaval’s lost self-portrait, ‘Mrs Astley’ (fig. 1),¹ indicates that the sitter is indeed Rhoda Delaval (1725–1757), in which case the portrait would date to about 1750. Comparison can also be made with the portrait by Arthur Pond at Seaton Delaval of around 1750, depicting Rhoda Delaval seated with a book.² The costume in the present portrait may be related to the Delavals’ theatrical exploits and interests. Although it is probable on balance that the portrait is by Arthur Pond, an attribution to Rhoda Delaval is not inconceivable.