Black and white vignette portrait of Victor Emmanuel II. Printed inscription on recto, 'Victor Emmanuel II.'. Pencil inscription on verso, 'Sunday May 17. 1874. Pitti Palace Florence'. Vittorio Emanuele Maria Alberto Eugenio Ferdinando Tommaso di Savoia, known as Victor Emmanuel II (1820-1878) was the first King of Italy. He was the King of Sardinia from 1849-1861, when he became King of Italy until his death in 1878. He is buried in the Pantheon in Rome.