It is not known how the drawing from a series of drawings by the Van de Veldes ended up in the collection of the Dukes of Northumberland. It seems most likely that the drawings were acquired by that remarkable figure, Elizabeth, 1st Duchess of Northumberland (1716-1776), who was one of the most important female collectors of the 18th century.

The Duchess is known to have bought two Van de Velde paintings at the 1765 sale of the collection of one of Van de Velde’s leading English followers, Samuel Scott ( circa 1702-1772).