In 1740 at the invitation of various British noblemen among them Sir Charles Frederick and the Earl of Carlisle, Casali decided to go to England travelling through Paris. He remained there for twenty-five years. In 1753, the year he made the present painting, Casali executed a decorative cycle representing Poetry, Painting and Sculpture for the entrance hall of Ranston House in Dorset, while he supplied the ceiling of the saloon with two ovals representing Bacchus and Ariadne and Music or Saint Cecilia.

Casali won four prizes at the Society of Artists and the Free Society where he exhibited regularly. In 1762 and in 1766 he organised sales of his works and of various paintings he owned by Italian and Dutch masters;...