This is a replica of a larger portrait of Disraeli, now in the National Portrait Gallery, London. Disraeli was seriously ill when Millais was painting this portrait, commissioned by the Fine Art Society, in March 1881. He died in April after only three sittings so the picture was unfinished, but Millais completed it, at Queen Victoria’s command. Millais was sent photographs to assist him with this replica and the Queen judged it ‘a fine picture’. She thought Millais had ‘given the peculiar, intellectual, and gentle expression of his face’ and the painting had for her ‘a peculiar and melancholy interest from being the last portrait her dear and ever-lamented friend and great Minister ever sat for, and when, as it were, the shadow of death was already upon him’. Signed and dated: JEM [in monogram] 1881.