This miniature is among the first portraits d'apparat of the Queen by the hand of Dumont who was appointed Peintre de la Reine. In addition to its artistic quality and unusual size, this outstanding miniature offers a particularly interesting history. Williamson (ibid.) relates its story: "A very interesting story has come to light concerning this miniature. It appears that it was thrown out of the Palace windows by a soldier at the time of the Reign of Terror, when the Queen was taken captive, and picked up from the grass, with another similar portrait, by two children. They kept it until they had grown up, and one of them came over to England and became governess in the family of an English nobleman. To her little charges, the governess gave the two miniatures, then without frames, not deeming them to be of much value, and they adorned the walls of a doll's house for some time. The late Queen Victoria on one occasion visited the children's parents and was shown the doll's house, on which they had lavished considerable attention, and the Queen at once recognized that the miniatures were of great value and persuaded the children to return their prizes to their governess, recommending her to keep them as precious treasures; memorials of the dreadful Revolution. In course of time the governess returned to France bearing with her the miniatures, but she fell upon evil times and had to raise money upon the two portraits, and when she died they were at a bank as a security for a loan. From thence they were sold by the bankers, passing into the hands of the person who eventually disposed of them to Mr. Morgan. [...] Of the authenticity of this story, as regards the portrait of the Queen, there is no doubt whatever."