| Administrative History | A member of London's Garrick Club since 1955, Gilroy undertook to clean the club's portrait collection in 1969 and from the following year (until 1975) he chaired its works of art sub-committee. He also painted several fellow Garrick members, among them Sir Malcolm Sargent, teh result of which was this portrait completed in 1971. |
| Custodial History | The painting was presented to the Royal Albert Hall by Sir Louis and Lady Gluckstein, in commemoration of the Hall's Centenary in 1971. Previously hung in Door 6 of the Hall. |