The Queen had seen another painting by Holman Hunt, Shadow of Death (Manchester City Art Gallery), and wrote to him in 1873 requesting a copy of the head of Christ from that painting, but her picture was not completed for many years.

The head and shoulders of Christ are here seen against a landscape background. Christ raises his eyes to heaven and holds a scroll in his right hand, a reminder that he came to fulfil the Law and the Prophets.

Signed and dated: 'WHH [in monogram] 1898'. On the back are two labels in the artist's hand. The first gives the title as The Messiah and provides the quotation from Psalms XL, 7-8, Hebrews X, 7, which is also inscribed on the frame. On the other label is a note on the materials used in the picture: 'W.H.H. July 6th. 1898. This painting is executed with instead of Flake White i.e. a Carbonate of Lead – a White prepared by Mr J.B. Hannay by sublimation from Lead, which is Sulphate Lead, called by him 'Puo'. it is proved to resist deletorious atmosphere much more effectually. The Medium used is Amber Varnish. After five years from this date the picture might with advantage be varnished with one coat of weak Amber. In future times it may if necessary be varnished with Mastic.'