This peculiarly tender double portrait of two young sisters encircled by a wreath of lilies derives from images of the Virgin Mary surrounded by flowers (see for example RCIN 405615). The lilies are symbolic of purity, as is the general whiteness of the image; the way the two girls seem to grow together, like flowers on the same stalk suggests their love for each other. Princess Helena (1846-1923), nicknamed Lenchen, was the fifth child and third daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. She was lively, outspoken and something of a tomboy. In 1866 she married Prince Christian of Schleswig Holstein and in 1916 they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary; she was the only child of Queen Victoria to do so. Princess Louise (1848–1939) was the sixth of Queen Victoria’s nine children. Beautiful and artistic, as an adult she supported the women’s movement and helped launch the Girls Public Day School Company. Inscribed on the back with the names of the artist, sitters, their ages (nine and seven) and the date, 1857.