[1] A fashionable portraitist and President of the Royal Academy, Lawrence depicted a number of British Prime Ministers during his career as well as numerous foreign dignitaries.

After spending much of his early life in opposition, Melbourne served twice as Prime Minister during the 1830s.

[2] It was painted around the time of his marriage to Lady Caroline Lamb, who Lawrence also depicted.

Lawrence captures an image of Melbourne as a rising young, politician in fashionable Regency style.

A later portrait by John Partridge shows Melbourne as a statesman during the early years of Queen Victoria's reign.