The Snake in the Grass

Reynold's painting, was commissioned by Lord Carysfort and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1784, no. 177 (under the title of Nymph and Cupid), is now in the Tate Gallery. There are several copies, mainly by Northcote, including examples in the Soane Museum and the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. This pastel was probably copied, however, from J.R. Smith's mezzotint of 1787.