This bust of the elder son of Grand Duke Cosimo de' Medici and that of his father (MMA, 1993.332.1) belong to a series of compelling images representing members of the Medici family. The dramatic, vigorous late Baroque style reveals the influence of Bernini and his followers on Foggini. Ferdinando is portrayed in his early twenties. The artist captures his dreamy and sensitive nature, which radiates from his handsome, regular features. His face is framed by a mass of cascading curls that merges with the lavish Venetian gros-point lace of his jabot and the folds of his generous mantle. At the time the portrait was carved, Cosimo was pressing the young prince to take a wife. Ferdinando married in 1689, but the union did not produce an heir. When the prince predeceased his father, the grand-ducal crown was passed to his brother Gian Gastone, the last Medici to rule Florence.
