Lawrence Macdonald was born at Findo Gask, Perthshire and began his working life as a mason's apprentice. He entered the Trustees' Academy, Edinburgh, in 1822 but left for Rome a few months later, supported financially by his patrons, the Oliphants of Gask. He set up as a sculptor of portrait busts and, with other artists, helped to found the British Academy of Arts in Rome. He returned to Scotland in 1826 and established a studio in Edinburgh. Between 1829 and 1831 he exhibited regularly in Edinburgh, where he was hailed as 'our Canova'. Although most of his income came from portrait bust commissions, Macdonald's main interest was in idealised neo-classical statuary and Scotland lacked the facilities for the necessary large-scale marble cutting. Macdonald returned to Rome in 1832, where he remained for the rest of his life.

Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge was the tenth child and seventh son of George III and Queen Charlotte. He was the Viceroy of Hanover from 1816 until 1837, when he returned to Britain. He presented this sculpture to his niece Queen Victoria after its completion in 1846.