A darkened interior view of St George's Chapel, Windsor, looking towards the organ; full of people and clergy; the coffin centre, adorned with white and red cloths and crown; light comes from behind the organ.

Queen Victoria died on 22 January, 1901 and her funeral was to take place in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Tuxen wrote to Sir Spencer Ponsonby-Fane on 28 January to place him at the disposal of King Edward VII: 'in case any wish should be expressed of having any commemorative picture executed of this last and mournful event". The King commanded that a place be reserved for the artist in the chapel at the service and arrangements were made for him to sketch there straightaway. However, Sir Spencer was told to inform Tuxen that no commission was likely. Sir Spencer reported to the King: "He has made some rough sketches but the Chapel was so dark that he could not do much". An oil sketch of the chapel before the ceremony is in a Danish private collection.

This small unfinished painting of the scene was acquired by Queen Alexandra at a much later date and was first recorded at Marlborough House in 1925. Apart from Press sketches Tuxen's oil is probably a unique record of the ceremony. It also gives an insight in to the artist's methods and priorities. The ribbed fan-vaulting of the chapel has been lightly drawn and painted. The figures are loosely brushed in with little detail; the King is just recognisable. As so often, Tuxen has concentrated on the light to create a particular atmosphere (see (for example RCINs 404465, 405286). Here, the late afternoon sun fills the nave and lights up the great west window, against which is silhouetted the organ. The painting is squared-up, ready for transfer to a larger canvas, however, no commission transpired.

Text adapted from Laurits Tuxen: Portrait and History Painter, The National History Museum at Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark, 1990