Gaetano Ferri (1822-96) was awarded a third-class medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. His well-known works include Napoleon I Signing his Abdication at Château de Fontainebleau at Versailles.

Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia, later King of Italy, elder son of Carlo Alberto, King of Sardinia, and Maria Theresa, daughter of Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, succeeded his father to the throne of Sardinia and was later (1861) proclaimed King of Italy. On receiving news of his death, Queen Victoria wrote: ‘He was a strange, wild man & to a certain extent lawless in his passions (for women especially) but a brave gallant soldier with a warm heart, honest, & great energy & power’. Her portrait sketches of him capture something of his wild eccentricity; RCIN 980023.bv-.bz.

In this portrait the sitter appears three-quarter length, turned half to the right, wearing a dark uniform and a cloak draped over his shoulders; his tunic is decorated with the star of the Order of the Garter and the green ribbon of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.