Alexandre Louis François d'Albert Durade (1804-1886) initially studied theology, then took up painting and was employed in the studio of J Hornung, where he executed various history paintings. In 1834, he married Julie Covelle, a flower painter. A version of his portrait of the novelist George Eliot, who stayed with the artist's family in Switzeland, is in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Prince Edward of Leiningen (1833-1914) was the second son of Queen Victoria’s half-brother, Charles, Prince of Leiningen, and Marie von Klebelsberg. He served in the Prussian army, attaining the rank of Major. In April 1892, whilst visiting Nice, Edward was run over by a passing carriage whilst alighting from his vehicle, resulting in serious injuries.

In this portait, the sitter appears wearing dark grey trousers, with a black jacket, white shirt and a striped tie knotted at the collar; with cliffs in the background, left, and a lake (possibly Lake Geneva) and a mountain on the right; stormy sky. This is one of two versions of this portrait by Albert-Durade, both dated 1848; see RCIN 404277. Prince Edward's brother Ernest also sat to the artist; RCIN 407113.