William Theed the younger was one of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's favourite artists. He travelled to Rome in 1826 to train and work in the studio of the famous neo-classical artist Bertel Thorvaldsen and he became a close friend of the British sculptor John Gibson, who promoted Theed's work. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's interest in Theed's work motivated him to return to England in 1848. He became one of the most solicited artists of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. This marble portrait bust of Prince Albert dates from 1859. The Prince is shown wearing a classical toga across his chest, gathered over his right shoulder and leaving his left shoulder uncovered. The style of this bust is very similar to the commemorative bust of Prince Albert which Theed also made soon after his death in 1861. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were keen patrons of neo-classical sculptors and marble was a preferred media because of its pale colour, smoothness and durability and because of its symbolic associations with purity and intransience which became important to Victorians. Marble sculpture became an important feature in the decoration of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's palace interiors which they would often acquire or commission to present as birthday, anniversary or Christmas gifts.