This painting was first exhibited under the title of The Neophyte in 1884. It ultimately became part of the collection of Sharp's sister Mrs. Nettie McGuffin Perkins, who in her youth was the subject of the portrait.

In 1910 upon departure for Europe with her husband, Nettie left this work among other possessions in storage. Upon her return home years later, she could neither locate the stored objects nor the storage company. In 1946, The Neophyte, along with other Sharp paintings, were found in a livery stable in Ironton, Ohio, the Sharp family’s hometown. The portrait became part of the Butler’s collection in 1981.