This portrait represents the architect, landscape and furniture designer William Kent. He is depicted holding a scroll of paper, which may represent architectural plans and an ink pen. His left arm rests on an antique sculpture of a woman's head, a reference to Kent's classical interests. Kent played a leading role in introducing the classical, Palladian style of architecture to the UK in the early 18th century. A full-length painting of Kent, also by William Aikman, is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery's version was painted for Lord Castlemaine to be displayed over a mantelpiece in the Great Hall at Wanstead House in Essex (a Palladian house which has since been demolished). Kent painted the ceiling of the Great Hall, which explains why, in the portrait commissioned for that room, he is depicted as an artist, holding his palette and brushes.