Sir Thomas Beecham (1879–1961) was a renowned conductor and impresario, associated with the London Philharmonic and Royal Philharmonic orchestras. In November 1915, accompanied by the society hostess Lady Cunard (then living with him in London), he visited Mark Gertler's studio in Hampstead. Gertler, having just lost the subsidy of his patron Edward Marsh, was facing the possibility of losing his studio and hoped to raise money by painting scenery for Beecham’s next opera production. Although this did not materialise, Beecham instead purchased Gertler's drawing Rabbi and Rabbitzin for £10 on the spot; it was later sold to Gertler's friend the barrister St. John Hutchinson.