It was purchased in 1936, directly by the artist, who then lived in Milan, where he had established himself as a late exponent of Lombard Impressionism having studied at the Brera Academy with Vespasiano Bignami and Cesare Tallone. Well-made and witty - the range of blacks is also very refined - the painting seems to be a portrait of a soubrette or a woman in the attitude of a femme fatale. The canvas undoubtedly dates back to the years of Amisani's maturity when he was a sought-after portraitist of Milanese high society.