This is a copy by Gilbert Sprague of the pastel version of the picture (RCIN 403580), by Sir Edwin Landseer, painted some years earlier. After the death of Prince Albert in 1861 the Queen was 'seized with a great wish' to have Landseer compose a pair of paintings – Sunshine and Shadow – to illustrate the contrast between the happy times she had enjoyed during Albert's lifetime with the grief she was enduring since his death. She wanted to be depicted 'as I am now, sad & lonely, seated on my pony, led by Brown, with a representation of Osborne'. The Queen is in deep mourning, reading a letter. She is seated on her pony, Flora, which is held by John Brown. Behind is the terrace at Osborne. The clock stands at 3 pm. On the ground lie the Queen's gloves and letters and she is accompanied by two dogs, a Border collie (probably Sharp) and a Skye terrier called Prince. The box which had contained the letters is also on the ground. Her daughters Princess Louise and Princess Helena are sitting in the background with a terrier.

John Brown was a ghillie (outdoor servant) at Balmoral Castle in Scotland which the Queen and Prince Albert had bought in 1853. After Albert's death the Queen developed a close relationship with him, and he was extremely protective of her. Shortly after Brown's death in 1883 the Queen wrote in a letter 'Perhaps never in history was there so strong and true an attachment, so warm and loving a friendship between the sovereign and servant…Strength of character as well as power of frame – the most fearless uprightness, kindness, sense of justice, honesty, independence and unselfishness combined with a tender, warm heart…the most remarkable of men'.