Theer, Robert - portrait of Ferdinand I of Austria

Illustrating a dilemma faced by collectors of moderate means, is this miniature portrait which provides an excellent example. That is, should damaged miniatures be collected? In this instance, it can be seen there is some rubbing to the left of the sitter's face.

However the sitter is a well known historical figure and the artist is important. Hence, whereas one can readily acquire unknown sitters, named sitters are more rare and in this case, the miniature seemed to be worth buying. It was fortunately obtained at a price which was a small fraction of what would prevail for a similar miniature in perfect condition. At some stage it would be desirable to have it restored, but as the condition is stable, that can be deferred.

The sitter is Ferdinand I (19 April 1793 – 29 June 1875), Emperor of Austria, President of the German Confederation, King of Hungary, and associated dominions from the death of his father, Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, from 1835 until his abdication after the Revolutions of 1848.

He married Maria Anna of Savoy, the sixth child of Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia. They had no issue. Ferdinand was incapable of ruling his empire, so his father, before he died, drafted a will promulgating that he should consult Archduke Lewis on every aspect of internal policy, and urged him to be influenced by Prince Metternich, Austria's foreign minister.

He abdicated on December 2, 1848. He was succeded by his nephew, Francis Joseph. Following his abdication, he lived in Hradčany Palace, Prague, until his death in 1875.

Robert Theer (1808-1863), was the eldest of three brothers, all important miniature painters born in Johannisberg, Silesia and who all died in Vienna. Robert was a pupil of the famous artist Daffinger.

The close ups show the skill of Theer, as the group of medals is less than 2cm across. 1370

It is interesting, and unusual, to be able to compare three miniatures of the same sitter by the same artist. The originals are all 54mm x 38mm. The one in this collection shows him as the youngest, probably painted on his accession in 1835. The second is in the Albertina Museum collection in Vienna and shows him around 1840. The third example shows him around the time of his abdication and, in late 2009 the prominent art dealer, Boris Wilnitsky, was offering it for sale for Euros 3000. See
Boris Wilnitsky Fine Art - Homepage

Miniatures like these were painted as diplomatic gifts in the days before photography and hence multiple examples often exist, varying slightly during the monarch's reign.