This is a superb example of Thorburn's work, despite the now disturbing pattern of cracks through the centre of the ivory, with exceptionally well-painted passages in Prince Albert's hands and in the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's armour. It was painted for Queen Victoria over the course of more than a year, and involved Thorburn travelling to Germany to complete the likeness he had begun of Ernest II. The first sitting took place on 26 February 1850, when Queen Victoria noted in her Journal: 'After luncheon Ernest & Albert stood for a sketch to Thorburn, for a miniature he is going to paint of the 2 brothers together for me' (RA QVJ). Prince Albert was reported to be sitting again at Osborne House on 2 August and Thorburn must then have departed for Coburg, for by 21 October he had returned and showed the Queen 'the miniature of Ernest, which he has been painting in Germany & which is extremely like. It comes into the picture with Albert' (RA QVJ). Thorburn evidently continued to work on the miniature throughout the winter, and by 31 March 1851 the Queen and Prince Albert 'saw Thorburn with the beautiful miniature much improved'. Prince Albert's diary selections for the period reveal that the brothers were portrayed in 'old german [sic] costume' although it was soon interpreted more broadly as a representation of Van Dyck costume. The miniature was well received when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1851, one reviewer commenting: 'The work is distinguished by all the solidity and breadth of oil painting'.

Signed along lower right edge in black paint: R. THORBURN / 1851. A paper label on the reverse is inscribed by the artist in ink: 1. / H.R.H. The Prince Albert / and / H.R.H. the Duke of / Saxe Coburg and / Gotha. / Robert Thorburn / 77 Upper Berkeley Street / Portman Square.