Vittorio Emanuele II

Cesare Bernieri

1867 · Albumen silver print from glass negative · Photographs

An avowed patriot, Bernieri fought alongside Garibaldi in the Expedition of the Thousand. After establishing his Turin photography studio in 1861, he became known for his portraits of Risorgimento heroes and as court photographer to the Italian royal family. This carte de visite depicts Vittorio Emanuele II (1820–1878), king of Sardinia and Piedmont, who became the first king of a united Italy in 1861. The sitter dedicated this print to the Countess of Castiglione following the tragic death of her husband, writing, “The unhappy sovereign kisses the hands of the dearest Nicchia.”

Artist

Cesare Bernieri

Date

1867

Medium

Albumen silver print from glass negative

Department

Photographs

Credit line

Gilman Collection, Museum Purchase, 2005