This miniature, in which the Queen is shown in mourning, is one of the royal couple's responses to the death on 29 January 1844 of Prince Albert's father, Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. It was Thorburn's first royal commission and the Queen gave him a number of sittings from 23 February. She was impressed by his '… splendid miniatures, with such depth of colouring & such power as I have never before seen in a miniature' (Journal, 23 February 1844). Thorburn's miniature portrays the contrast between the Queen's professional and personal life: wearing the ribbon and star of the Garter whilst reading a letter; simply attired in black wearing a miniature bracelet on her wrist and the treasured crystal locket that had been an engagement present from Queen Louise of the Belgians. Prince Albert thought the miniature 'very like' (Journal, 2 March).

Born in Dumfries, Thorburn began his training at the Scottish Academy under Sir William Allan (1782–1850) at the age of fifteen. He moved to London in 1836 and entered the Royal Academy Schools, turning exclusively to miniature painting. Although no other account of his life makes mention of it, Queen Victoria described him as 'a young Scotchman, of great talent, who studied for two winters in Italy' (Journal, 23 February 1844).

Thorburn produced these very large miniatures by experimenting with new techniques and cutting slices of ivory from the circumference of the tusk, which were then laid flat under intense pressure. Although he was much favoured by the Queen for some years, problems arose with his fees and after 1853 he declined further royal commissions.

Text adapted from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010