Barbara Urslerin was known as "The Hairy Maid". She was born in 1629 in Kempton, Germany. She had hypertrichosis, a condition where hair grows excessively, often over the whole body. She was exhibited by her parents and later her husband and had a child (who did not have the same condition). She also played the harpsichord. I based this painting on a black and white etching by Gayswood from 1659.