This is a copy by William Corden of Winterhalter's portrait (RCIN 404692).

The opera singer Luigi Lablache was born in Naples. He was the most celebrated bass singer of his generation and gave singing lessons to Queen Victoria for more than twenty years, beginning in 1836. He had a remarkably varied repertory and performed regularly in London, 1830-52.

In her Journal she recounts her delight in seeing Lablache perform on stage. The original portrait was described by the Queen: "It is a speaking likeness, a life size head, & really quite a "chef d'oeuvre". What a gift, to have such a power of catching individual likenesses!" (Journal, 29th May 1852).