Born in Freiburg im Breisgau, Graefle (Gräfle) studied in Munich with two artists of the ‘Nazarene movement’, Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794-1872) and Peter von Cornelius (1784-1867). He was a close associate of Franz Xaver Winterhalter and was sometimes employed by the royal family as a worthy and more tractable substitute. Princess Victoria was the eldest of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s nine children. In 1858 she married Frederick William, Crown Prince of Prussia. This portrait was probably painted to present to her brother, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, along with a portrait of her husband (RCIN 405281). She is wearing a white evening dress with the badges of the Orders of Victoria and Albert and Louise (Prussia). Signed and dated: A Graefle p. Inscribed on the back with the names of the artist and sitter and as painted in February 1863.