Alexandre Louis François d'Albert Durade (1804-1886) initially studied theology, then took up painting and was employed in the studio of J Hornung, where he executed various history paintings. In 1834, he married Julie Covelle, a flower painter. A version of his portrait of the novelist George Eliot, who stayed with the artist's family in Switzeland, is in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Prince Edward of Leiningen (1833-1914) was the second son of Queen Victoria’s half-brother, Charles, Prince of Leiningen, and Marie von Klebelsberg. He served in the Prussian army, attaining the rank of Major. In April 1892, whilst visiting Nice, Edward was run over by a passing carriage whilst alighting from his vehicle, resulting in serious injuries. In this half-length portrait of the youthful prince, the body of water in the landscape background may be intended as Lake Geneva.

This is one of two versions of this portrait by Albert-Durade, both dated 1848; see RCIN 407114.