Richardson and his son published Explanatory Notes on Paradise Lost... with a life of the author, in 1734. The likeness is based on the portrait engraved by William Faithorne, a drawing related to which is in the Princeton University Library. The association with Milton was clearly important to Richardson and he painted a group portrait of himself, his son and Milton together (private collection). There are also two engravings, presumably after the present drawing, in the Heinz Archive, one showing the poet adorned with laurel and with inscription '... J.R: sen: f. MILTON's Mansus. From an Excel.t Orig: (Crayons) in his Collection.'