In the spring of 1785, the English painter Robert Edge Pine arrived at Mount Vernon in high hopes of taking a life portrait of the retired General George Washington. Washington was absent on business during much of his stay, but Pine took advantage of the opportunity to paint Martha Washington's four grandchildren as well as her niece. Pine depicted Mrs. Washington's six-year-old granddaughter, Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis, as if she had just returned from gathering fresh fruit or flowers. The shy glance of her deep brown eyes and her unpretentious dress combine to create a romanticized picture of childhood innocence.