Queen Victoria is shown in full-length, standing, in profile to the left, her head turned three-quarters to the left, on a dais with a throne chair behind. In the background is a balustrade with a glimpse of trees beyond. The train of her black satin dress is lined with ermine and her long veil is held in position by a small diamond crown. The Queen wears the ribbon and star of the Garter with the badges of the Order of Victoria and Albert and the Crown of India. Commissioned by Queen Victoria as an official State Portrait, the progress of the picture is recorded in the Queen's Journal and in letters to the Crown Princess. Sittings took place in 1885. By 9 March the portrait is described as 'getting on beautifully' and on 20 March it is described as 'splendid. He has painted the black satin most marvellously.' On 6 April the Queen wrote to her daughter that 'Angeli (who was as funny as ever) has really outdone himself in my Picture.' A payment of £315, on account, was made to the artist by the Lord Chamberlain's Department in June 1885. There is copious material on the making of copies of the new portrait.