Mr. Mills, Yorkshire.[1] A.J. Bentley, by 1831;[2] by descent to John Bentley, Esq. [1797-1879], Birch House, near Bolton, Lancashire, and Portland Place, London; his estate; (sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 15 May 1886, no. 71); purchased by F.B. Benedict Nicolson, London, until 1960. (Durlacher Brothers, London); sold 11 April 1960 to (Thomas Agnew & Sons, London); sold 6 July 1960 to Paul Mellon, Upperville, Virginia;[3] gift 1983 to NGA. [1] According to the catalogue of the Bentley sale, Christie's, London, 1886. Nicolson identified Mr. Mills with John Milnes of Wakefield, Yorkshire, who was one of Wright's principal patrons, but the Washington picture is not identifiable with any picture Milnes is known to have owned. (Benedict Nicolson, _Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of Light_, 2 vols., London, 1968: I:260.) [2] He lent the painting to _Pictures by Italian, Spanish, Flemish, Dutch and English Masters_, Royal Manchester Institution, 1831, no. 145, as _Italian Scene--Convent of St. Cosimata_. [3] Stockbook no. 3055, Thomas Agnew & Sons, London.