Charles Barraud’s portrait of Governor Grey was likely commissioned by Grey between 1849-1853. It shows him wearing the insignia of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath which he received in 1848.

George Grey was twice governor of New Zealand and Premier from 1877 to 1879. In Wellington in the 1880s, he was a familiar sight tottering along on his daily walks, a frail figure in his oversized tall hat, escorted by his massive disciple, Richard John Seddon. Grey Street in Wellington is named after him.

Barraud was born in London in 1822. He qualified as a druggist and chemist and practised in Southampton before emigrating to New Zealand in 1849. Upon his arrival in Wellington he immediately established himself as a chemist with a shop on Lambton Quay, where he also sold objets d'art as a sideline.When his premises on Lambton Quay were destroyed by fire in 1887 he retired from the business and became a full time artist. He painted mainly in watercolours, and largely landscapes, but also undertook a number of important portrait commissions in oils.

A staunch supporter of New Zealand's fledgling art societies, Barraud became the principal founder of the Fine Arts Association in 1882. When that association was renamed the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in 1889 he became its president.