Tuna and coral fishing

The work Tuna and coral fishing was chosen by Hackert for the Game Room of the Royal Palace of Carditello, where it remained until its decommissioning; in the post-war period, the painting was acquired by the Royal Palace of Caserta.

Signed by Giacomo Nani, the painting is stylistically reminiscent of the still life with Red seabreams, squid and oysters, attributed to the same painter.

Among Ferdinand IV's favourite fish, tuna – along with swordfish – was the king's favourite, which he usually consumed grilled, with the flat bone.

When it was not possible to get supplies in Santa Lucia, the sovereign was satisfied with freshwater fish bred in the Park of the Royal Palace of Caserta where there could be found: mullets in the Peschiera; carp in the Dolphin Fountain; large eels at Castelluccia; trout in the Aeolus Fountain; crabs in that of Venus and Adonis; mullets and eels in the English Garden.