Ferdinand (1769-1824) was the second son of Emperor Leopold II, becoming Grand Duke of Tuscany when his father became Holy Roman Emperor in 1790.

He continued the liberal reforms of his father and sought to maintain a neutral position toward the French Revolution. After he had established diplomatic relations with the French Republic in 1793, however, he joined the coalition against France. With the defeat of Napoleon, Ferdinand recovered Tuscany in 1814 and pursued the economic, social and cultural redevelopment of his region. Here he is wearing the ribbon of the Order of St Stephen.

There is some doubt as to the identity of this sitter. The portrait was originally described as Emperor Joseph II (1741-90) but subsequently was renamed as Archduke Ferdinand. It does bear a resemblance to a portrait of Ferdinand by Giuseppe Lanzadelli painted in 1803 and known from a stipple engraving by David Weiss, but has little resemblance to his portraits by Heinrich Füger and others.

The identity of the artist is unknown.

The miniature is inscribed on the back in ink: Joseph II 201.