Francesco Daniele, Naples 1784
The royal sepulchres of the Cathedral of Palermo recognized and illustrated, Plate Q
(body of Emperor Fredrick II)
printed book, engraving and etching by Francesco La Marra, drawing by Sante Cardini
(46×31,5 cm)
Palermo, Library of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, A 945.823/34

In 1781, during the neoclassical renovation of the Cathedral of Palermo, all the royal and imperial tombs were opened. In 1784 the historiographer of the king, Francesco Daniele (1740-1812), wrote the report of the opening and had 18 illustrative plates drawn and engraved to witness the wonderful finds.
Those engravings are unique documents for us. The only body entirely portrayed was that of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, King of Sicily, son of Constance of Hauteville and grandson of Roger II, the founder of the Kingdom.
The drawing shows the mummified body of the emperor, dressed in garments and with the insignia of power (crown, globe, mantle, sword), all embellished with freshwater beads, pearls, gold bezels with gems and precious embroidery and a ring with a large emerald. The sumptuous garments recall the artifacts exhibited in the imperial treasure in Vienna and those found in the sarcophagus of Empress Constance of Aragon (cat. 3, 21, 26), his wife, and are specimens of the refined craftsmanship of the Royal Palace of Palermo. At the center of the mantle was a precious fibula, whose rediscovered gem is exhibited here for the first time (cat. 5).