Madrazo would have presented this preliminary study to the king for approval before painting the final version, which is also in the Prado (P3295). For many years the large-scale definitive version was the only painting of Ferdinand displayed to the public in the museum he had founded. He is shown as commander-in-chief of the Spanish armed forces beside an oak tree that refers to the virtues of the good ruler.
José de Madrazo, Madrid, 1955.
Díez, José Luis, José de Madrazo (1781-1859), Fundación Marcelino Botín, Santander, 1998, pp. 290-293.
G. Navarro, Carlos, José de Madrazo (1781-1859). Dibujos, Fundación Botín, Santander, 2014, pp. 293.
Barón, J, 'José de Madrazo. El rey Fernando VII, a caballo' En: Museo Nacional del Prado. Memoria de actividades 2019, Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte,, 2020, pp. 112-114.
Inv. Nuevas Adquisiciones (iniciado en 1856). Núm. 3001.
Room 062 (On Display)
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