Palermo School, circa 1799

Portrait of King Ferdinand IV of Naples and III of Sicily (1751-1825), in profile facing left,

Portrait of King Ferdinand IV of Naples and III of Sicily (1751-1825), in profile facing left, wearing a blue coat with red collar and wearing the breast-stars of the Royal Sicilian Orders of Saint Januarius, Saint Ferdinand and of Merit
charcoal and coloured chalk on laid paper
18 x 12cm

Provenance:
Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy (1769-1839), to whom reputedly given by Nelson
his nephew, William Mansfield (circa 1848-1892), Portesham House, Dorset, and thence by family descent to the current owners.

According to family tradition, the present drawing was discovered hidden behind the portrait of Nelson, lot 40 in this sale and which was given by Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson to Captain Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy (see lot ??? for a description of the events surrounding the background of these two drawings).