The subject of this striking portrait is Klinghoffer’s fellow artist Orovida Pissarro, granddaughter of Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro and daughter of Lucien. The Pissarros were family friends of Klinghoffer’s.

Klinghoffer immigrated to Britain from Austria with her family at the age of three, eventually settling in Whitechapel. She attended the Central School for Arts and Crafts (under Bernard Meninsky and Duncan Grant) and the Slade (under Henry Tonks), holding her first solo exhibition in 1920 at the age of 19 upon the recommendation of Alfred Wolmark. She later lived in France, Holland and, after 1939, in the USA. She is best known for her skilful portraits, particularly of children.

Although Orovida is depicted at leisure, rather than at work in the studio, the vivid red and blue palette and the ornamental cat behind her reflect the exotic influences and animal subjects that she favoured in her own work.