Godwin apparently saw the pictures of painter John Opie, although whether this was a private view or public exhibition is unclear. Opie had become an Academician in 1787, and in 1788 showed several portraits and A Child and Dog. In addition, around this time he was engaged with painting seven pictures for Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery venture, three for Macklin's Poets, published 1788-9 ; and four for his Bible. Godwin had personal contact with the artist, who had painted Mary Wollstonecraft’s portrait in 1797, where she is seen pregnant with Mary, and also knew the Opie's wife Amelia (née Alderson).

See Earland, Ada, John Opie and his Circle (London: 1911).