Caroline Chisholm was 44 years old when this portrait was painted. Originally from a large family in England, Chisholm married an army officer at the age of 22 and they came to Sydney in 1838.

Seeing how difficult it was for young emigrant women to survive in the new colony without resorting to prostitution or begging, the Chisholms set up several homes for women. Over the next seven years, Caroline placed 11,000 emigrants in homes and jobs. 

This portrait of Caroline was used in the design of the first paper five-dollar note, issued in 1967, in honour of her philanthropic work.