There are 35 paintings by 20 different artists hanging on the walls of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. This portrait of King Edward VII (1841-1910) decorates the Saloon alongside its pair, of Queen Alexandra (408539). It made sense to pay homage in the Dolls’ House to the incumbent royals’ immediate predecessors, especially given that Queen Alexandra, George V’s mother, was still alive. Portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte, and King George V and Queen Mary themselves hang on the surrounding walls.

Irish artist John Lavery was perhaps considered suitable for this royal commission due to the fact that he had already produced several portraits of George V and his family (for example, 407142). In this portrait, Edward VII turns to the left with one hand on his hip and the other holding a military baton, displaying his sumptuous ermine-lined mantel, red Field Marshal’s jacket, sash and badges.

For his depiction of the King, Lavery may have looked to his State portraits by Samuel Luke Fildes (404553 and 405660). However, the specific pose and attire of the King in Lavery’s little painting matches more precisely a photograph taken for his Coronation in 1902, suggesting that this was the primary source for his posthumous portrait. Somewhat odd, however, is the omission of the crown from this painting, which in such a portrait would usually be worn or be resting on a table nearby.