Paton first exhibited a painting on this subject at the Royal Academy in 1856. Queen Victoria was so impressed with its combination of sentiment, patriotism and piety, that she immediately commissioned this smaller replica from the artist. The welfare of veterans of the Crimean War was of great concern to her, and the message of this painting - that Christianity would provide solace to this grievously injured soldier - was one which the queen would have endorsed. Commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1856 and given to the Prince Consort for Christmas in 1859