Commissioned by the Prince Regent of Britain it was initially painted during the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1818 and completed over the following months.

Lawrence, Britain's leading portrait painter of the Regency Era, was commissioned by the Regent to depict many European leaders who had participated in the defeat of the French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars.

[2] Lawrence observed difficulties with the Emperor's face which he found long, thin and melancholic.

However, when Francis smiled he showed a benevolence which Lawrence depicted in the painting.

Unlike the other Allied monarchs Lawrence portrayed Francis in full-length and seated on a throne.