Portrait of Elizabeth Wells, later Lady Dyke, three-quarter-length, seated in a grey dress, holding a book

Elizabeth Dyke, née Wells, was the daughter of John Wells of Bickley, Kent, a cousin of William Wells of Redleaf, Kent. A shipbuilder and prolific collector of art, William Wells was one of Landseer's most important patrons, and owned some of the artist's finest paintings including The Sanctuary, now in the Royal Collection. His house at Redleaf became a significant meeting place for contemporary artists, and was a second home to Landseer. William Wells's nephew 'Billy' Wells's sale at Christie's on 12 May 1890 included thirty-two oil paintings (including sketches) by the artist. The sitter married Sir Percyvall Hart Dyke, 6th Bt. in 1835, and died in 1888. Another portrait of Elizabeth Wells by Landseer, an unfinished sketch, was included in the 1978 Christie's sale as lot 51.