In the summer of 1809, Sweden was in crisis. Finland was lost, the surrounding world hostile and the succession after the childless Charles XIII uncertain. The Diet elected a Danish prince, originally Christian August, who had a reputation as a competent, dutiful soldier. It was politically important to make the heir to the throne known as soon as possible. This portrait appears to have been commissioned by Charles XIII and was painted before the prince had arrived. Only six months later, however, he was dead.