Princess Louisa (1779-1801) was the daughter of Frederick Francis I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1797, she married Emilius Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Gotha, and this miniature may be a marriage portrait. Their daughter Louisa was the mother of Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria. She is depicted here formally dressed and wearing a tiara, pearl jewellery and a dark blue Maltese cross on a chain.

Another miniature of Princess Louisa in the Royal Collection (RCIN 420583), painted a year earlier, may be her engagement portrait.

Domenico Bossi (1765-1853) was a cosmopolitan artist who worked in Venice, Hamburg, Stockholm (where he was court painter), St Petersburg, Paris and Vienna, and finally settled in Munich. He was acknowledged as one of the best miniature painters of his time.

The back of the miniature case contains an enamel black and white butterfly (Marbled White Butterfly), resting on a plait of fair hair.