This small drawing has a sense of intimacy in the capturing of a moment where the sitter is seemingly unaware of being observed, unlike the feeling of formailty and self-awareness in a staged portrait sitting.

William Hoare of Bath RA (c, 1707-1792) was an English portrait painter and printmaker. Born in Suffolk, after travelling and studying in Italy, Hoare settled in Bath in the late 1730's and had a successful portrait practice in oils and pastels. He was a foundation member of the Royal Academy alongside Thomas Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds. Some of his most important commissions include those of George Handel, Robert Walpole and William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. There are several versions of these, suggesting he had a studio and they were further publicised by the production of mezzotints by leading engravers of the day. Hoare himself published a number of private etchings including those of Miss Mary Hoare, Christopher Anstey and the Duke of Beaufort. Examples of his work can be found in the National Portrait Gallery London, and the Holburne Museum and The Assembly Rooms in Bath. 

There is an account by Dorothy Richardson in the 1770's on visiting Hoare's studio in Bath, We went down Gay Street and thro' George Street to Edgars Buildings to see Mr Hoare's Crayon Pictures. In the first room are his four children - 1st Miss Hoare leaning upon a drawing book - 2nd a little boy with a top in his hand - 3rd a girl reading and 4th a child holding a portcrayon.