Ferdinand IV of Naples and his family 1783

Angelica Kauffmann painted Ferdinand IV of Naples and his family without a set date. Kauffmann, a Swiss-born Neoclassical painter, gained fame portraying European aristocracy. Here, she presents the Bourbon royal family in an idyllic scene. Notice how Kauffmann navigates the complex power dynamics of the time. Ferdinand, the King, is positioned as the head of the family and state, embodying the era's patriarchal structure, yet his wife Maria Carolina of Austria is not far behind. As a Habsburg, her lineage and political acumen held significant influence at court. Note how Kauffmann uses the visual language of Neoclassicism to convey the family's status. The idealized setting, the classical urn, and their dignified poses all contribute to an image of cultivated nobility. Despite the formality, there is an attempt to portray a sense of intimacy and domesticity. Kauffmann balances the demands of royal portraiture with a touch of the personal, offering a glimpse into the lives of those in power, lives which would soon be disrupted by revolution and war.