Louise, Princess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1800-31) was the first wife of Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1784-1844). She is depicted here with her sons, Ernest, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1818-93), and Albert, later Prince Consort to Queen Victoria (1819-61).

In the copy after a painting by Ludwig Döll (1823-24; Schloss Ehrenburg), the Duchess sits with her two sons dressed in traditional costume; Prince Albert kneels, leaning across her lap and holding a butterfly; Prince Ernest stands to the right, gesturing with an open hand towards his younger brother; with trees and a distant hill surmounted by a castle in the background.

In an inventory of Queen Victoria's pictures, a smaller version of this painting is mentioned as hanging at Windsor (probably RCIN 400951). A similar full-length group, painted by Louise Leopoldine von Meyern Hohenburg (1815-65), was recorded as hanging in the Dining Room, Frogmore House, Windsor in 1871. It was acquired by Queen Victoria in 1842, but is no longer in the Royal Collection, having been given away by her. Its present whereabouts are unknown.

Signed: G.E von Ebart