A posthumous version of the State portrait of King Edward VII (RCIN 404553) commissioned by Queen Alexandra from Luke Fildes and completed in 1912.

In the biography of his father, LV Fildes recalled that: 'On and off for the last two years, my father had been painting a posthumous portrait of the late King Edward. It had been commissioned privately by Queen Alexandra and it was to be like the State Portrait in size but more intimate in character. Having the studies he had made from life for the State Portrait, my father had not felt the inhibitions he usually did with posthumous portraits' (LV Fildes, 1968, p. 197).

Letters from the artist to Dighton Probyn reveal that completion of the portrait was protracted as Fildes fell from a platform in September 1912, fracturing his wrist. However, following the Queen Dowagers visit on 6 November, Probyn wrote that… 'The dear Queen I am glad to say, is perfectly enchanted with the Picture of our late King Edward and Princess Victoria is also delighted with it' (V&A Lib Eng MSS 86 PP8). Although originally the Queen did not intend to exhibit the portrait, it was shown in the Vestibule at the Royal Academy in 1913. The painting was recorded in the Red Drawing Room at Marlborough House in November 1925; it was sent to Windsor in 1926 and from 1956-2006 it was on loan to the Commissioners to the Crown.

The frame is by WM Power, 123 Victoria Street, London.