Eduard Persèus (1841-90) was a pupil at the Academy in Copenhagen and also studied under Karl Theodor von Piloty in Munich. He travelled to Italy, and exhibited in Paris in 1889. He is particularly known for his painting Karin Mansdatter visits Erik XIV in Prison, which was brought to wide public attention as a lithograph.

This is probably a version of the portrait by Persèus, dated 1885, in the collection of Count and Countess Claes-Eric de Lewenhaupt of Sweden, auctioned in Florida in August 2013. It shows the King standing full-length, dressed in black with the riband and star of the Order of the Garter, and the badge of the Order of Charles XIII; his hat is held under his left hand; beside him is an ornately carved occasional table.