The early 1900s caption reads: "The Three Graces by Reynolds (1723-1792) in the National Gallery. This picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1774 and calld "Three Ladies Adorning a Term of Hymen." It was bequeathed to the National Gallery by the Earl of Blessington. The Graces are the three daughters of Sir W Montgomery. The one on the left kneeling down is the Hon Mrs Beresford, in the center is the Hon Mrs Gardener, mother of Lord Blessington, and on the right is the Marchioness Townsend." Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) was the leading English portraitist of the 18th century. Through study of ancient and Italian Renaissance art, and of the work of Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck, he brought great variety and dignity to British portraiture.