Ferdinand VII with Robes of State (Fernando VII con manto real)

For the subject's face in this portrait, Goya used the sketch that he made in 1808 and which he would make use of for all of his portraits of this king, which is why the face is always the same and is always at the same angle.

The monarch is shown posing in his red ermine-lined gold-edged robes. In his right hand he holds his baton, whilst his left hand holds open the robe. Across his chest is the sash of the Order of Charles III and the emblem of the Order of the Golden Fleece hangs around his neck.

Margarita Moreno is of the opinion that, unlike the excellent portrait of Ferdinand VII at a camp, this is an inferior portrait, and it is difficult to recognise Goya's style in the profusion of confused brushstrokes we see here, which fail to achieve the brilliant effect that we are used to seeing in the artist's work.

For further biographical information, see Ferdinand VII.