Ward visited Scotland in 1805 and several drawings from his tour survive, including a drawing of Loch Lomond looking towards Luss, dated 21 August, two days later than the present drawing, and another of Mrs McNab of Inversnaid spinning dated 24 August. Sketches from this trip were worked up into paintings, which were exhibited at the British Institution into the 1840s. William Holdsworth and William Aldridge invented the shorthand used by Ward and his fellow artist Robert Hills (1769-1844). It was first published in 1766 as ‘Natural Short-hand, wherein the nature of speech and the manner of pronunciation are briefly explained’. Ward mainly employed it for colour notes and observations which he would use back in the studio.
Peter Cochrane (1913-2004), who previously owned this drawing and lots 55, 75, 85, 93 and 161, was a collector and art dealer. Working for Arthur Tooth & Sons in the 1950s and 1960s, he was pivotal in introducing new European and American artists to the London art world, including Jean Dubuffet and Sam Francis. He also promoted a new generation of British artists including Howard Hodgkin whose first solo exhibition was held at the gallery in 1962.