This portrait also has the title Eileen, the name of the sitter. The Society for Imperial Culture was formed in 1922 through the initiative of Christchurch artist E. Rosa Sawtell (1865 -1940). One of its aims was to encourage the acquisition of works of art for the public collection. The Blue Jacket was exhibited at the ‘Contemporary British Art Exhibition’ held in Christchurch in 1928. Organised by Mr Murray Fuller and his wife, a number of exhibitions of contemporary British art were toured throughout the main centres of New Zealand between 1928 and 1935. Webster was born in Manchester. He studied at the South Kensington Schools and the Royal Academy Schools. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1904 to 1959 and also at the Paris Salon, winning medals in 1912, 1913 and 1931. Webster was based in London and also exhibited with the Royal Institute of Painters in watercolours, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.