Ferdinand IV, King of Naples (?) 1710 - 1780

Francesco La Marra sketched this drawing of Ferdinand IV, King of Naples, using graphite. The figure holds a staff, symbolising power and authority. Note how it echoes the scepters wielded by rulers throughout history, from ancient pharaohs to medieval monarchs. The staff’s significance is not merely about governance. Think of the Rod of Asclepius, intertwined with a serpent, symbolising medicine, or the shepherd’s crook, representing guidance and care. These objects, like the staff, tap into a primal human need for leadership and order. Consider also the drapery behind the figure, a classical motif used to elevate the sitter. It evokes a sense of timelessness, connecting Ferdinand to the grand tradition of portraiture. This image, with its staff and drapery, speaks to the cyclical nature of power and representation. Each element is reinterpreted, yet each carries echoes of the past.