Lady Bridgwater's portrait was at some point, together with a portrait signed by Arenius in 1740, put in German-style leaf-and bird-design Baroque frames. Assigned to Arenius, the portrait followed its pair to a Bukowski auction on 23 April 1902. Paul Sinebrychoff was at first only going to buy the signed one, but ended up buying both portraits because he needed pendants and the frames were beautiful. When Sirén told Sinebrychoff about the purchase he said that the unsigned quite interesting work which he had thought so little of at first was not Arenius but perhaps Widekind's work. However, the painting kept occupying Sirén's mind and on 15 June 1902 he wrote:
You can be pleased with the new rare addition to your portrait collection. The portrait of a lady that was sold as Arenius's pendant .... and with which you are displeased, turned out to be painted by Michael Dahl. I have found the same picture engraved in mezzotint with the inscription M. Dahl pinx. It portrays The Rt. Hon. the Countess of Bridgwater - probably not later than 1715 - 18.
However, Elizabeth Churchill, the Countess of Bridgwater, died of smallpox already in 1714 at the age of 26. She was born in 1688 and was the third daughter of the famous Duke of Marlborough. Her father was one of the greatest military commanders of his time. His military reputation and his politically ambitious wife also brought him influencein domestic affairs in England. Marlborough stepped into the leadership of the Whigs (the forerunners of the Liberals) and married his daughters off to influential aristocrats from his own party. Elizabeth was married to Scroop Egerton, sixth Earl of Bridgwater, (1681-1717), who had inherited large estates. They were married in 1703, and a son, John, was born the the following year. They also had a daughter, but both children died young after the death of their mother. It is said that Elizabeth was a sunny and cheerful girl and a special favourite of her father. Marlborough was engaged in military matters in Antwerp when he heard news of his daughter's death and he reputedly lost consciousness for a moment from the shock.
Michael Dahl Elizabeth Churchill, Countess of Bridgwater