Joseph Hartmann (1812-85) was born at Ried. The city of Vienna played host to his early career but the artist later moved to Darmstadt where he received several commissions from the Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse along with several eminent members of the ducal court. It is likely to have been through the recommendation of the Grand Duchess Alice, Queen Victoria’s second eldest daughter, that Hartmann found patronage at the Court of St James’s.

Princess Marie was a niece by marriage to both Queen Victoria and the queen’s half sister, Princess Feodora (1807-72) and was a great favourite of both, spending much of her time with her aunts at various royal residences. Princess Marie’s husband, Prince Ernst of Leiningen (1830-1904), was present at the death of Prince Albert in 1861 and the couple were at Osborne House with Queen Victoria for the birth of both of their children. When Marie died in 1899, Queen Victoria wrote in her Journal: ‘News that beloved Marie has passed away during the night. She was my most dear and intimate friend as well as beloved niece and angel of goodness in whom I could always confide’ (Royal Archives).

In this portrait the Princess wears a pale pink evening gown, covered by a white lace shawl. A corsage of pink roses is pinned to her bodice and a second spray is visible behind her right ear; about her throat are three strands of pearls.