The artwork titled “Portrait of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies,” created by Angelica Kauffman around 1782, belongs to the Neoclassicism and Rococo movements and can be classified as a portrait genre.
In this depiction, Ferdinand I is portrayed with a dignified and composed demeanor. He is adorned in elegant, ceremonial armor, symbolizing his status and authority. The detailed rendering of his attire, including the richly textured red sash draped across his chest, signifies nobility and power. The artist’s use of light and shadow accentuates his facial features and the gleam of his armor. Behind Ferdinand, there is a backdrop with subdued colors and textures which serve to highlight the primary subject. Kauffman’s skillful use of color and technique bestows the artwork with a sense of grandeur and solemnity, reflective of the era’s artistic traditions and the subject’s prominence.
