Ethel Walker was the great-granddaughter of Susannah Walker and her husband Joshua who lived at Clifton House (now Clifton Park Museum). She was born in Edinburgh and studied art in London. She was especially keen on impressionist paintings and this painting is a good example of her use of impressionist techniques. In 1900, she became the first woman to be elected to the New English Art Club. This was a club for impressionist artists whose works were rejected by the more conservative Royal Academy. Walker was made a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) in 1943. Many museums around the country have paintings by Walker, and the Tate held a memorial exhibition of her works in 1952. (http://artuk.org/discover/artworks/self-portrait-69581)