A reduced watercolour copy after Franz Xaver Winterhalter's oil painting The Royal Family in 1846 (RCIN 405413).

The identity of the artist here is unknown, though Queen Victoria did commission at least two watercolour copies after Winterhalter's painting, from 'Broiki' (presumably Charles Brocky) and a Mr Denning (possibly Stephen Poyntz Denning), in 1847.

The original group portrait which this watercolour copies was painted by the German artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter. Winterhalter was the premier portraitist in the mid-nineteenth century at many of the major European courts, working for those of London, Paris, Belgium, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid and St Petersburg, amongst others. He painted over 100 portraits for Queen Victoria and her extended family; the Queen esteemed him especially for his ability to capture a likeness, and the elegance, romance and naturalism of his works. In May 1846 Queen Victoria wrote to the French king, Louis-Philippe, to ask if he would release Winterhalter from his role as court painter in the autumn so that he could paint a large picture of her family for Osborne. Sittings began at Windsor in October 1846 and continued into January of the following year. When finished the picture was considered by the Queen 'a "chef d'oeuvre", like a Paul Veronese – such beautiful, brilliant, fresh colouring - & we were enchanted' (Journal, 18 December, 1846). The Queen later wrote that this was one of her three favourite portraits of the Prince (RA VIC/ MAIN/Y/ 169/ 69). The painting was hung in the Dining Room at Osborne. Although intended ultimately for this private setting, it was first exhibited in 1847 in St James's Palace, where it was seen by 100,000 members of the public. In 1850 it was engraved for public circulation.