[1][2] It depicts the future king Ludwig I of Bavaria, then crown prince and heir to his father Maximilian I.

He had embarked on a grand tour in Italy when he sat for Kauffman in French-controlled Rome.

Ludwig was later an instrumental figure in Bavaria's decision to change sides in 1813.

Once he became King in 1822, his encouragement of the arts and architecture led to his capital Munich being dubbed "New Athens".

[3] Kauffman had worked in Britain for a number of years, where she was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts, before settling in Rome.