Melchior Gommar Tieleman (1784-1864) was a student at the Academy at Antwerp and of Louis David in Paris. He was appointed director of the school of art in Lier, and Painter to Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, Viceroy of Hanover. His works can be seen in the Town Hall and the Cathedral in Lier. This is one of two works by Tieleman in the collection, with a similar provenance though not a pair (RCIN 404607 & 407128).

Princess Augusta (1797-1889) was born at Rumpenheim Castle, Cassel, the third daughter of Friedrich III, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. In 1818 she married her second cousin, Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. They lived in Hanover, where the Duke held the post of Viceroy, until the ascension of Queen Victoria and the separation of the Hanoverian and British crowns. Upon their return to Britain in 1837, they lived at Cambridge Cottage, Kew, and later at St. James's Palace. They had three children; George, second Duke of Cambridge, Princess Augusta, and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, later Duchess of Teck.

The Princess is here seated on a green curved sofa, wearing a red dress with matching hat, pearl necklaces and earrings. She holds the younger Princess Augusta on her lap, who reaches for a miniature attached to pearl necklaces held by Prince George of Cambridge, who is dressed in tartan.