Hans Johann Baptist von Straschiripka, known as Canon (1829-95) studied in the studio of Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller at the Academy in Vienna, and later under Carl von Rahl. He spent seven years in the army, from 1848, and after extensive travels in the East, in France and in England, he settled for a while in Karlsruhe, where he taught at the Academy from 1862 to 1869. He settled permanently in Vienna in 1873. Influenced by the Baroque masters, Canon painted several fresco cycles on the ceilings of the Viennese museums. He was also known for portraiture; among his best known are Marshal Franz von Hauslab, and St Benedict.

Louise of Hesse-Kassel (1817-1898) was the third daughter of Landgrave William of Hesse-Kassel. In 1842, she married her second cousin Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glückburg. In 1853 she became Crown princess, and Queen consort upon the coronation of her husband as King Christian IX of Denmark in 1863. She was the mother of Queen Alexandra, consort of Edward VII.

in this portrait the  Queen of Denmark appears seated, three-quarter length, facing half to the left; her left hand rests on the arm of the chair, and she holds a fan in her right. She wears a black silk dress with two broad bands of white lace applied to the front, and a large brooch.