The German artist Johan Zoffany arrived in London in 1760 and soon established a reputation for informal conversation pieces in which accurate and lively portraits were set in surroundings showing the sitters’ taste and circumstances. John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, commissioned portraits of his children from Zoffany c.1763-4 and probably introduced the artist to the King and Queen. The King nominated Zoffany to the new Royal Academy in 1769. He remained in favour for a further ten years, but after the unfavourable reception of The Tribuna was supplanted by other, younger artists. This portrait is first recorded at Kew Palace in 1861. The large number of alterations suggest an original work, though the fact that it is unfinished makes any attribution insecure. Assuming it is by Zoffany and that it depicts Prince Ernest it may have been painted for the King and Queen and may have been left unfinished because of Zoffany's departure for Italy at exactly this time. The baby is seated on a red velvet cushion with gold tassles; wearing a white frock with a blue sash around the waist and holding his right shoe in his right hand; lilac swag behind.