A watercolour showing a view of Osborne Bay. Trees are shown in the lower foreground, with the sea shown behind. Several boats are shown sailing on the water and the distant shore is shown in the background.

The Osborne Estate, on the Isle of Wight, was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845. Work was started straight away on rebuilding Osborne House in the Italianate style, to designs by Prince Albert, and the royal family stayed there for lengthy periods each year. While staying at Osborne, Queen Victoria often spent time sketching in the grounds.