The Galleria Estense is an art gallery in the heart of Modena, centred around the collection of the d’Este family: rulers of Modena, Ferrara and Reggio from 1289 to 1796. Located on the top floor of the ''Palazzo dei Musei'', on the St. Augustine square, the museum showcases a vast array of works ranging from fresco and oil painting to marble, polychrome and terracotta sculpture; musical instruments;

numismatics Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals and related objects. Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also includ ...

; curios and decorative antiques. It was publicly established in 1854 by the last duke Francesco V of Austria-Este, and was relocated in 1894 to its current situation from the Palazzo Ducale. Since 2014, the Gallery has formed a part the

Gallerie Estensi The Gallerie Estensi is a network of three museums and a library, bringing together the collective fruits of artistic production from Ferrara, Modena and Sassuolo in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. The galleries aim to preserve the hi ...

, an independent complex of museums merging the Estense University library, and the Lapidary Museum in Modena, the

Palazzo Ducale Several palaces are named Ducal Palace (Italian: ''Palazzo Ducale'' ) because it was the seat or residence of a duke. Notable palaces with the name include: France * Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, Dijon * Palace of the Dukes of Lorraine, Nancy * ...

in Sassuolo and the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Ferrara. Together, they reflect the progressing tastes of an Italian court of nobility.

Description

The Estense Gallery consists of sixteen exhibition rooms with four large salons arranged thematically. The collection houses an eclectic range of oeuvres executed by both notable and local artists. Although for the most part centred around Italian painters, it also includes a modest number of Flemish, German and French artworks (Workshop of

van Eyck Van Eyck or Van Eijk () is a Dutch toponymic surname. ''Eijck'', ''Eyck'', ''Eyk'' and ''Eijk'' are all archaic spellings of modern Dutch ("oak") and the surname literally translates as "from/of oak". However, in most cases, the family name refers ...

;

Aelbrecht Bouts Aelbrecht Bouts (1452 - March 1549) was a Flemish painter of the Early Netherlandish era. His first name is sometimes spelled ‘Albert’, ‘Aelbert’ or ‘Albrecht’. He was born into a family of painters in Leuven. Aelbrecht’s father ...

;

Charles Le Brun Charles Le Brun (baptised 24 February 1619 – 12 February 1690) was a French painter, physiognomist, art theorist, and a director of several art schools of his time. As court painter to Louis XIV, who declared him "the greatest French artist of ...

), as well as non-Western examples from Sierra Leone and Persia. Among the decorative objects of note, the mannerist "Estense Harp" stands out. A rare musical instrument, the double harp's 148 cm were crafted entirely by hand through a collaboration between five Ferrarese and Flemish artists:

Giacometti Alberto Giacometti (, , ; 10 October 1901 – 11 January 1966) was a Swiss sculptor, painter, Drafter, draftsman and Printmaking, printmaker. Beginning in 1922, he lived and worked mainly in Paris but regularly visited his hometown Borgonovo, ...

, Marescotti, Bastarolo, Rosselli and

Lamberti Lamberti is a surname of Italian origin. Notable people with the surname include: *Al Lamberti (born 1954), American former Sheriff of Broward County, in southeastern Florida * Bonaventura Lamberti (1653–1721), Italian painter of the Baroque era ...

. It then comes as no surprise that it featured on Italian 1,000 lire banknotes next to Verdi from 1961 to 1981. The gallery also houses a ''Madonna and Child'' and a ''Telamon'' by the Modenese sculptor Wiligelmo, an 18th century coral nativity scene and a still-life carved in wood celebrating the ascension of

James II of England James VII and II (14 October 1633 16 September 1701) was King of England and King of Ireland as James II, and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II, on 6 February 1685. He was deposed in the Gloriou ...

Galleria estense, sala del seicento emiliano 02

History

Cesare I

In 1598, the duchy seat in Ferrara was forced to yield to

Pope Clement VIII Pope Clement VIII ( la, Clemens VIII; it, Clemente VIII; 24 February 1536 – 3 March 1605), born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 2 February 1592 to his death in March 1605. Born ...

and the capital of the dukedom was relocated to Modena. Duke

Cesare Cesare, the Italian language, Italian version of the given name Caesar (title), Caesar, may refer to: Given name * Cesare, Marquis of Beccaria (1738–1794), an Italian philosopher and politician * Cesare Airaghi (1840–1896), Italian colonel ...

tried to bring with him as much of the Este inheritance as possible, including many cases full of rare and precious objects. As for the remaining works in Ferrara, Cesare, who was perhaps not as fond of art patronage as his ancestors, did not hesitate to donate large parts of the collection to seek favour with powerful political figures, notably the

Cardinal Borghese Pope Paul V ( la, Paulus V; it, Paolo V) (17 September 1550 – 28 January 1621), born Camillo Borghese, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 16 May 1605 to his death in January 1621. In 1611, he honored ...

and the

Austrian Emperor The Emperor of Austria (german: Kaiser von Österreich) was the ruler of the Austrian Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A hereditary imperial title and office proclaimed in 1804 by Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, a member of the Hou ...

Francesco I

Francesco I, successor of Alfonso III, was a man of great ambition. He was determined to both regain Ferrara and restore the artistic atmosphere characteristic of the Ferrarese court in Modena. For the new capital of the diminished duchy of Modena and Reggio, he envisioned an imposing ducal residence, entrusting the project to Bartolomeo Avanzini. The Roman architect was advised by Bernini, whose engagement with the Pope prevented him from accepting the task.During a diplomatic trip to Spain, Francesco had his portrait painted by

Diego Velázquez Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (baptized June 6, 1599August 6, 1660) was a Spanish painter, the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV of Spain and Portugal, and of the Spanish Golden Age. He was an individualistic artist of th ...

, a work which remains a precious treasure of the Estense collection. An equally revered marble portrait executed by Bernini now welcomes viewers entering the gallery. Not only does it effortlessly capture the duke's likeness and ''bravura'', Bernini also never once laid eyes on his subject in the flesh, using effigies by

Justus Sustermans Justus Sustermans, Joost Sustermans or Suttermans, his given name Italianised to Giusto (Antwerp, 28 September 1597 – Florence, 23 April 1681), was a Flemish painter and draughtsman who is mainly known for his portraits. He also painted histor ...

and Jean Boulanger as prompts instead. To overcome the reluctance of the sculptor, who in a letter to the duke’s brother, Cardinal Rinaldo, judged the task as not only extremely difficult but reckless, an exorbitant sum of 3000 ''scudi'' was offered, the exact amount paid to Bernini by the

Pope Innocent X Pope Innocent X ( la, Innocentius X; it, Innocenzo X; 6 May 1574 – 7 January 1655), born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj (or Pamphili), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 September 1644 to his death in Januar ...

for his

Four Rivers Fountain Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (''Fountain of the Four Rivers'') is a fountain in the Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy. It was designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Pope Innocent X whose family palace, the Palazzo Pamphili, faced onto the piazza as ...

in Rome. Other valuable works donated or purchased by the duke joined the collection at this time, such as paintings by

Paolo Veronese Paolo Caliari (152819 April 1588), known as Paolo Veronese ( , also , ), was an Italian Renaissance painter based in Venice, known for extremely large history paintings of religion and mythology, such as ''The Wedding at Cana'' (1563) and ''The ...

, Salvator Rosa, Hans Holbein and another marble bust by Bernini, this time dedicated to his lover. Ever the art lover, Francesco began appropriating paintings from churches and monasteries within the duchy: a habit to be routinely adopted by his successors in the years to come. The works were replaced by second-rate copies, often veiled from the eyes of the priests who tried to resist. Pieces by

Correggio Antonio Allegri da Correggio (August 1489 – 5 March 1534), usually known as just Correggio (, also , , ), was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High Italian Renaissance, who was responsible for some of the most vigorous and sens ...

Parmigianino Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola (11 January 150324 August 1540), also known as Francesco Mazzola or, more commonly, as Parmigianino (, , ; "the little one from Parma"), was an Italian Mannerist painter and printmaker active in Florence, Rome, Bo ...

and

Cima da Conegliano Giovanni Battista Cima, also called Cima da Conegliano (c. 1459 – c. 1517), was an Italian Renaissance painter, who mostly worked in Venice. He can be considered part of the Venetian school, though he was also influenced by Antonello da ...

all entered into the ducal collection in this way.

Francesco I's successors

Francesco's son Alfonso IV was the first to open the gallery to the public. His wife

Laura Martinozzi Laura Martinozzi (27 May 1639 – 19 July 1687) was a Duchess consort of Modena by marriage to Alfonso IV d'Este, Duke of Modena. She served as regent of Modena during the minority of her son Francesco from 1662 until 1674. Biography Early life ...

, granddaughter of Cardinal Mazzarino, became regent to the duchy on the death of her husband, given their son,

Francesco II Francesco II may refer to: * Francesco II Ordelaffi (1300–1386) * Francesco II of Lesbos (c. 1365 – 1403/1404) * Francesco II Acciaioli (died 1460), last Duke of Athens * Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua (1466–1519), ruler of the Ita ...

, was only two years old. The duchess did not contribute to the gallery purchases, dedicating herself for the most part to charitable works and the construction of churches and convents, with the aim of repairing a state severely affected by the outbreak of plague and the

Thirty Years War The Thirty Years' War was one of the longest and List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, most destructive conflicts in History of Europe, European history, lasting from 1618 to 1648. Fought primarily in Central Europe, an es ...

. The gallery was not enriched, but depleted during the successive reigns of

. In order to raise funds, the duke decided to sell the finest pieces of the collection to

Augustus III of Poland Augustus III ( pl, August III Sas, lt, Augustas III; 17 October 1696 5 October 1763) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1733 until 1763, as well as Elector of Saxony in the Holy Roman Empire where he was known as Frederick Aug ...

for the considerable sum of 100,000 Venetian ''zecchini'' (the equivalent of around 650 kg of gold). Thus, in July 1746, works by

Giulio Romano Giulio Romano (, ; – 1 November 1546), is the acquired name of Giulio Pippi, who was an Italian painter and architect. He was a pupil of Raphael, and his stylistic deviations from High Renaissance classicism help define the sixteenth-cent ...

, Andrea del Sarto, Rubens, Velázquez,

Holbein Hans Holbein may refer to: * Hans Holbein the Elder Hans Holbein the Elder ( , ; german: Hans Holbein der Ältere; – 1524) was a German painter. Life Holbein was born in free imperial city of Augsburg (Germany), and died in Issenheim, Alsa ...

, Titian, Parmagianino,

Guercino Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (February 8, 1591 – December 22, 1666),Miller, 1964 better known as Guercino, or il Guercino , was an Italian Baroque painter and draftsman from Cento in the Emilia region, who was active in Rome and Bologna. The vig ...

Guido Reni Guido Reni (; 4 November 1575 – 18 August 1642) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, although his works showed a classical manner, similar to Simon Vouet, Nicolas Poussin, and Philippe de Champaigne. He painted primarily religious ...

Carracci The Carracci were a family of Italian artists. Notable members include: * Agostino Carracci (1557–1602), Italian painter and printmaker * Annibale Carracci (1560–1609), Italian Baroque painter and brother of Agostino Carracci * Ludovico Carracc ...

, and many others embarked for Dresden. Such works may still be admired in the Gemäldegalerie today. Neither was Rinaldo I, his uncle successor, able to enrich the duchy artistically. Ercole III and his predecessor, Francesco III, used the same pillaging method as Francesco I to salvage the gallery: depredating the duchy’s churches (Carpi, Reggio, Modena), but also aided by the use of raw impositions. One such example lies with Niccolò dell’Abbate’s frescoes detached from the walls of the Rocca di Scandiano, from which some paintings also arrived.

Napoleonic interlude

Such was the reputation of the d’Este collections, (the French ''letterato''

Charles de Brosses Charles de Brosses (), comte de Tournay, baron de Montfalcon, seigneur de Vezins et de Prevessin (7 February 1709 – 7 May 1777), was a French writer of the 18th century. Life He was president of the parliament of his hometown Dijon from 1741, a ...

considered it "undoubtedly the finest in Italy”) it also attracted the eye of

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

. At the

Armistice of Cherasco The Armistice of Cherasco was a truce signed at Cherasco, Piedmont, on 28 April 1796 between Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia and Napoleon Bonaparte. It withdrew Sardinia from the War of the First Coalition (leaving only Britain and Austria in the ...

, he decreed that twenty of the Estensi paintings should return to Paris as ample payment for expenses of war incurred during his Italian campaign from 1796 to 1815. After a few months, the number increased to seventy. This period marks the most significant ransacking of Modena’s collections of paintings, drawings, archival books, and the d'Este's glyptic collection. On October 14, 1796, Napoleon entered Modena with two new commissars, Garrau and Saliceti. Both went several times to sift through the Gallery of Drawings and Medals in the Palazzo Ducale, selecting works cited by visitors to the palace. Gilded enamel cameos and engraved semi-precious stones were sent to

the Louvre The Louvre ( ), or the Louvre Museum ( ), is the world's most-visited museum, and an historic landmark in Paris, France. It is the home of some of the best-known works of art, including the ''Mona Lisa'' and the ''Venus de Milo''. A central l ...

and to their own estates. Some drawings were delegated to Modena's Academy of Fine Arts for didactic purposes, however an overwhelming amount were sent to Paris, where they have remained ever since. Of the previously enviable selection reflecting high Renaissance practices which included the likes of

, Parmagianino,

Perino del Vaga Perino (or Perin) del Vaga (nickname of Piero Bonaccorsi) (1501 – October 19, 1547) was an Italian painter and draughtsman of the Late Renaissance/ Mannerism. Biography Perino was born near Florence. His father ruined himself by gambling, a ...

, the

brothers,

Botticelli Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi ( – May 17, 1510), known as Sandro Botticelli (, ), was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance. Botticelli's posthumous reputation suffered until the late 19th century, when he was rediscovered ...

's '' Calumny of Apelles,'' and a ''Judgement of Solomon'' by the workshop of Mantegna, only 700 remain. Currently housed in storage in Modena, the digital collection may now be viewed on the gallery's website. On 17 October, 94 volumes were chosen to be transferred from the ducal library to the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, including numerous manuscripts and ancient codices. Napoleon personally took two 16th to 18th-century editions of

Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman people, Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caes ...

's ''

Commentarii Commentarii (Latin, Greek: ''hupomnemata'') are notes to assist the memory, or memoranda. This original idea of the word gave rise to a variety of meanings: notes and abstracts of speeches for the assistance of orators; family memorials, the orig ...

'' whilst rapidly passing through Modena. As for the collection of coins, the Bibliothèque received 900 imperial bronze coins, 124 of which were from Roman colonies; 10 silver; 31 incised; as well as 44 Greek and 103 from the Papal mint. Napoleon’s wife Joséphine followed suite. During her sojourn in Modena's Palazzo Ducale in February 1797, she was unsatisfied with merely 'looking at' the numismatic collection. The empress took about two hundred, in addition to those selected by the court members of her husband who accompanied her. Numerous paintings of the Emilian school such as

’s altarpiece depicting Modena’s patron saints (1651) and his ''St. Paul'' (1644), as well as ''The Purification of the Virgin'' by

, ''The Virgin Appears to Saints Luke and Catherine'' (1592) by

Annibale Carracci Annibale Carracci (; November 3, 1560 – July 15, 1609) was an Italian painter and instructor, active in Bologna and later in Rome. Along with his brother and cousin, Annibale was one of the progenitors, if not founders of a leading strand of th ...

, ''The Dream of Job'' (1593) by

Cigoli Lodovico Cardi (21 September 1559 – 8 June 1613), also known as Cigoli, was an Italian painter and architect of the late Mannerist and early Baroque period, trained and active in his early career in Florence, and spending the last nine years ...

, ''The Mocking of Christ'' by Gianbologna and others never returned. It is estimated that 1,300 pictures were exported to the Louvre.

Restoration

From his exile in Treviso, Ercole III sold various objects he had brought with him, but he also made some additions to the gallery, in an attempt to remedy the Napoleonic plundering. With the restoration of duke Francesco IV of Hapsburg-Este in Modena came the recovering of many important works. Only 21 paintings previously part of the Estense collection returned to Modena, in addition to two new paintings acquired as remuneration by

. On the backdrop of the Church's diminishing status came the growing trend for art collection as a means of upholding the local authority of the nobility. Francesco IV thus contributed works to the gallery from nearby towns through the tried and tested Estense method of looting churches. In 1822, a newfound interest in early Italian "Primitive" paintings prompted the acquisitions from the rich collection of Marquis

Tommaso degli Obizzi Tommaso degli Obizzi (1750 — 3 June 1803), who at one time was thought to be the last of the house of Obizzi, who was born and died at the Castello del Catajo near Padua was a pioneering collector who added to the works of art at Catajo some Ital ...

, including works by

Barnaba da Modena Barnaba da Modena (c. 1328-c.1386) was a mid-14th-century Italian painter who painted in the style of Byzantine art.Raimond Van Marle, ''The Development of the Italian Schools of Painting'', Springer Science & Business Media, 2012, p. 382-383 He ...

Apollonio di Giovanni Apollonio di Giovanni di Tomaso (1414 – 1465), was an Italian painter. Biography He was born in Florence and is also known as the "Master of the Jarves Cassone". Apollonio di Giovanni was recorded in Florence 1446 where he ran a workshop s ...

, Bartolomeo Bonascia and

Francesco Bianchi Ferrari Francesco Bianchi (1447 – 8 February 1510) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period. He is also known as ''Francesco del Bianchi Ferrara'' and ''Il Frare''. He was born at Ferrara. Modena is also mentioned as the place of his birth. His ...

. His son Francesco V also made some new purchases and reopened the gallery relocated during the reign of his father to the Palazzo Ducale.

From 1859 to today

With the unification of Italy in 1859, the Este line came to an end. During the transition there were inevitably some losses and thefts.

Luigi Carlo Farini Luigi Carlo Farini (22 October 1812 – 1 August 1866) was an Italian physician, statesman and historian. Biography Farini was born at Russi, in what is now the province of Ravenna. After completing a brilliant university course at Bolo ...

, reigning dictator over the Modenese provinces on behalf of the Savoy government, was accused by some of having appropriated valuables kept in the Palazzo Ducale in which he and his government resided, although it is as of yet unclear on what grounds such allegations were made. In 1879, the palace became the headquarters of the

Military Academy A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally provides education in a military environment, the exact definition depending on the country concerned. ...

, depriving the city of its use. The gallery was forced to relocate to the eighteenth-century palace built by Francesco III, now known as the ''Palazzo dei Musei'', where it coexists with the Lapidary Museum, the Civic Museum and Archives on the ground floor and the Estense library on the third floor. The gallery's itinerary has undergone several rearrangements over the years, with the curation of the rooms remaining in a constant state of revision. A notably recent change occurred following the earthquake in May 2012. After a three year renovation period, it was reopened to the public in 2015. Never-before-seen works were retrieved from storage, new lighting and a microclimate system supporting the conservation of exhibits and digital displays were installed, ensuring the Estense Gallery remains a nucleus of culture to both locals and tourists travelling off the beaten track on their way from Venice to Rome.

Collection

* ''Bust of St. Monica'' by Niccolo dell'Arca * ''Nativity with the Two Midwives'' by Pellegrino Aretusi *''Tancred baptizes Clorinda'' by

Sisto Badalocchio Sisto Badalocchio Rosa (28 June 1585 – ) was an Italian painter and engraver of the Bolognese School. Born in Parma, he worked first under Agostino Carracci in Bologna, then Annibale Carracci, in Rome. He worked with Annibale till 1609, the ...

*Terracotta sculptures by

Antonio Begarelli Antonio Begarelli, also known as Begarino (1499–1565) was an Italian sculptor. He was born at Modena, and is said to have been instructed by Giovanni dell'Abbate, the father of the painter Niccolò. Begarelli worked chiefly in Modena, where m ...

*''

Bust of Francesco I d'Este The ''Bust of Francesco I d'Este'' is a marble portrait bust by the Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Completed in 1652, the work depicts Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena. It is in the Museo Estense, Modena, Italy. The noble yet detached ...

'' by

Gian Lorenzo Bernini Gian Lorenzo (or Gianlorenzo) Bernini (, , ; Italian Giovanni Lorenzo; 7 December 159828 November 1680) was an Italian sculptor and architect. While a major figure in the world of architecture, he was more prominently the leading sculptor of his ...

*''Crucifixion'' and ''St. Christopher'' by

*Miniatures by Anna Campori *Engraved portrait miniature by

Rosalba Carriera Rosalba Carriera (12 January 1673 – 15 April 1757) was a Venetian Rococo painter. In her younger years, she specialized in portrait miniatures. Carriera would later become known for her pastel portraits, helping popularize the medium in eighte ...

*''Madonna and Child with St. Anne'' by

Joos van Cleve Joos van Cleve (; also Joos van der Beke; c. 1485–1490 – 1540/1541) was a leading painter active in Antwerp from his arrival there around 1511 until his death in 1540 or 1541. Within Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painting, he combines the tr ...

*''Lamentation with St. Francis and St. Bernardino'' by Cima da Congeliano *''Madonna Campori'' and others by

*''The Nativity'' by

Battista Dossi Battista Dossi (ca. 1490–1548), also known as Battista de Luteri, was an Italian painter who belonged to the Ferrara School of Painting. He spent nearly his entire career in service of the Court of Ferrara, where he worked with his older ...

*''The Jester; panels from Alfonso d'Este's Bedroom Ceiling;'' ''Ercole d'Este'' and others by

Dosso Dossi Giovanni di Niccolò de Luteri, better known as Dosso Dossi ( 1489–1542), was an Italian Renaissance painter who belonged to the School of Ferrara, painting in a style mainly influenced by Venetian painting, in particular Giorgione and early T ...

*'' Modena Triptych'' by El Greco *''Hercules on Horseback'', sculpture by

Bertoldo di Giovanni Bertoldo di Giovanni (after 1420, in Poggio a Caiano – 28 December 1491, in Florence) was an Italian Renaissance sculptor and medallist. Life Bertoldo was a pupil of Donatello. He worked in Donatello's workshop for many years, completing ...

*''Madonna and Child'' by follower of

Jan Gossaert Jan Gossaert (c. 1478 – 1 October 1532) was a French-speaking painter from the Low Countries also known as Jan Mabuse (the name he adopted from his birthplace, Maubeuge) or Jennyn van Hennegouwe ( Hainaut), as he called himself when he matri ...

*A Carrara marble Guitar and Harpsichord by Michele Antonio Grandi *''Martyrdom of St. Peter''; ''Venus, Cupid and Mars'' and others by

*''Portrait of the poet Fulvio Testi'' by

Ludovico Lana Ludovico Lana (c. 1597–1646) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, mainly active in Modena, where he died in 1646. He is also known as ''Lodovico Lana''. He was the director of the Accademia Ducale of Modena. He is said to have been bo ...

*''Moses Defends Jethro's Daughters; The Marriage of Moses and Zipporah'' by

*''Portrait of Francis of Valois-Angouleme'' by

Corneille de Lyon Corneille de Lyon (early 16th century – 8 November 1575 (buried)) was a Dutch painter of portraits who was active in Lyon, France, from 1533 until his death. In France and the Netherlands he is also still known as ''Corneille de La Haye'' ( n ...

*''Lucretia, Brutus and Collatinus'' by Gianfrancesco Maineri *Portraits and ''Henry IV at Canossa'' by

Adeodato Malatesta Adeodato Malatesta (May 6, 1806 – December 24, 1891) was an Italian painter, trained in a grand Neoclassical style, depicting mostly of sacred and historic subjects. Biography He was born in Modena. His father was a captain in the Granducal ar ...

*Portable polyptychs by

Tommaso Tommaso is an Italian given name. It has also been used as a surname. Notable people with the name include: Given name A * Tommaso Acquaviva d'Aragona (1600–1672), Roman Catholic prelate * Tommaso Aldrovandini (1653–1736), Italian painter of ...

and

*''Martyrdom of St. Catherine'' by

Lelio Orsi Lelio Orsi (1508/1511 – 1587), also known as Lelio da Novellara, was a Mannerist painter and architect of the Reggio Emilia school in northern Italy. He was born and died in Novellara, and much of his work was completed in Reggio. He appear ...

*''Madonna and Child'' by

Domenico Panetti Domenico Panetti (1460–1530) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: pr ...

*Landscapes attributed to Antonio Francesco Perruzzini *''Christ Crucified'' by

*''Ecstasy of St. Francis; The Fortune Teller'' by

Lionello Spada Leonello Spada (also called ''Lionello Spada'') (1576 – 17 May 1622) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active in Rome and his native city of Bologna, where he became known as one of the followers of Caravaggio. Biography He fi ...

*Scenes from Ovid's ''Metamorphoses'' by

Tintoretto Tintoretto ( , , ; born Jacopo Robusti; late September or early October 1518Bernari and de Vecchi 1970, p. 83.31 May 1594) was an Italian painter identified with the Venetian school. His contemporaries both admired and criticized the speed with ...

*''St. Anthony of Padua'' by

Cosimo Tura Cosimo is the Italian form of the Greek name ''Kosmas'' (latinised as '' Cosmas''). Cosimo may refer to: Characters * Cosimo Piovasco di Rondò, hero of Italo Calvino's 1957 novel ''The Baron in the Trees'' Given name Medici family * Cosimo ...

*''Adoration of the Magi'' by

Palma Vecchio Palma Vecchio (c. 1480 – 30 July 1528), born Jacopo Palma, also known as Jacopo Negretti, was a Venetian painter of the Italian High Renaissance. He is called Palma Vecchio in English and Palma il Vecchio in Italian ("Palma the Elder") to di ...

*''Portrait of

Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena Francesco I d'Este (6 September 1610 – 14 October 1658) was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1629 until his death. The eldest son of Alfonso III d'Este, he became reigning duke after his father's abdication. Biography The pestilence of 1630–16 ...

'' by

*''San Geminiano Organ Shutter panels'' by

*''The Dance of Hours'' by Giuseppe Zattera *Roundels from

Virginia de' Medici Virginia de' Medici (29 May 1568 – 15 January 1615) was an Italian princess, a member of the House of Medici and by marriage Duchess of Modena and Reggio. Regent of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in 1601 during the absence of her husband, sh ...

's Apartment in the

Palazzo dei Diamanti Palazzo dei Diamanti is a Renaissance palace located on Corso Ercole I d'Este 21 in Ferrara, region of Emilia Romagna, Italy. The main floor of the Palace houses the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Ferrara (National Painting Gallery of Ferrara). History T ...

by the Carracci brothers *A collection of fresco cycles from the Rocca di Scandiano by

Niccolò dell'Abate Niccolò is an Italian male given name, derived from the Greek Nikolaos meaning "Victor of people" or "People's champion". There are several male variations of the name: Nicolò, Niccolò, Nicolas, and Nicola. The female equivalent is Nicole. The fe ...

and from the Rocca di Novellara by

Key works

File:Guido Reni - Crocifissione. Galleria Estense Modena.JPG, alt=Wili,

'', Christ Crucified'', 1636. File:Galleria Estense -Busto del Bernini.JPG,

, ''Portrait of Francesco I d'Este'', 1650-1. File:Friuli o tirolo, sella da parata con le armi di ercole I d'este, post 1474 (galleria estense) 01.jpg, ''Parade saddle'', 1470-80. File:Manifattura corinzia o magno-greca, kouros, 490 ac ca.jpg, ''Kouros'', early 5th century B.C. File:Boy with Thorn, marble, 150 AD, Antikensammlung Berlin, Sk 485, 141765.jpg, ''Boy with thorn'', late 1st century B.C. File:Guido mazzoni, testa di vecchio, 1480-85 ca. 01.jpg, Guido Mazzoni, ''Head of an old man'', 1480-5. File:Ludovico carracci, assunzione della vergine, 1607 ca.jpg,

Ludovico Carracci Ludovico (or Lodovico) Carracci (21 April 1555 – 13 November 1619) was an Italian, early-Baroque painter, etcher, and printmaker born in Bologna. His works are characterized by a strong mood invoked by broad gestures and flickering light th ...

, ''The Assumption of the Virgin'', 1607. File:Arte romana, rilievo con aion-phanes entro lo zodiaco, 150 dc ca., probabilmente da un mitreo.jpg, ''Relief with Aion-Phanes'', 125-50 AD. File:Bartolomeo bonascia, pietà, 1475-95 ca. 02.jpg, Bartolomeo Bonascia, ''Pietà,'' 1475-95 File:Cosmè Tura 009.jpg, Cosmè Tura, ''Saint Anthony of Padua'', 1484–88 File:Francesco Bianchi Ferrari - Pala delle Tre Croci.jpg,

, ''Crucifixion,'' 1485-90. File:Correggio, madonna campori.jpg,

, ''Madonna Campori,'' 1517-8. File:Paolo Veronese - St Mennas - WGA24810.jpg,

, ''Saint Menna,'' 1558-61. File:El greco, altarolo portatile, 1567-68, 01.jpg, El Greco, ''Portable Altarpiece,'' 1567-8. File:Annibale Carracci - Venere e Cupido Modena.jpg,

, ''Venus and Cupid,'' 1592. File:Jacopo Tintoretto - Deucalion and Pyrrha Praying before the Statue of the Goddess Themis - WGA22663.jpg,

Jacopo Tintoretto Tintoretto ( , , ; born Jacopo Robusti; late September or early October 1518Bernari and de Vecchi 1970, p. 83.31 May 1594) was an Italian painter identified with the Venetian school. His contemporaries both admired and criticized the speed with ...

, ''Scenes from Ovid's Metamorphoses,'' 1541-5. File:Guercino Marte Venere Cupido.jpg,

, ''Venus, Mars and Cupid,'' 1633. File:Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena in 1638 by Diego Velázquez.jpg,

, ''Portrait of Francesco I d'Este'', 1638. File:Antonio begarelli, madonna col bambino, 1540 ca.jpg,

, ''The Virgin and Child,'' c.1535. File:Ignaz elhafen, piatto da parata con raffigurazioni marine, 1670-80 ca, avorio, madreperla, corno e legno (modena, gallerie estensi) 01.jpg, Ignaz Elhafen (?), ''Platter with sea scenes,'' 1670-80. File:Grinling gibbons, vanitas (allegoria della morte di re carlo II stuart d'inghilterra), 1685 ca. 04 teschio.jpg,

Grinling Gibbons Grinling Gibbons (4 April 1648 – 3 August 1721) was an Anglo-Dutch sculptor and wood carver known for his work in England, including Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace, St Paul's Cathedral and other London churches, Petworth House and othe ...

, ''Vanitas,'' c.1685. File:Manifattura trapanese, presepe in corallo, argento, legno e metallo dorato, xviii secolo, 05.jpg, Trapani workshop, ''Nativity Scene,'' 18th century. File:Cerchia di giovan battista giacomelli, arpa doppia, 1581, decorata nel 1587-88, con fregio del 1588-93, 01.jpg, Giovanni Battista Giacometti,

Giulio Marescotti Giulio () is an Italian given name. Notable people with the name include: * Giulio Alberoni (1664–1752), Italian cardinal and statesman * Giulio Alenio (1582–1649), Italian Jesuit missionary and scholar * Giulio Alfieri (1924–2002), Italian a ...

, el Bastarolo, ''Estense Harp'', 1581-93. File:Domenico galli e liutaio ignoto, violoncello, 1691, 01.jpg, Domenico Galli, ''Cello'', 1691. File:CdM, pisanello, medaglia di leonello d'este 1441-1443 verso.jpg, Pisanello, ''Medal of Leonello d'Este,'' c.1440. File:Giovanni di paolo, adorazione del bambino, 1430-40 ca.jpg,

Giovanni di Paolo Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia (''c.'' 1403–1482) was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts. He was one of the most important painters of the 15th cent ...

, ''Adoration of the Christ child'', c.1430-40. File:Dosso dossi, formelle del soffitto della camera da letto di alfonso I d'este, 1520-22, ebbrezza.jpg,

, ''The Ceiling of Alfonso I's Bedroom'', 1520-22. File:Wiligelmo, madonna dei cattania, 1100-1120 ca., dalla sagra di carpi 01.jpg, ''Madonna and Child,'' Wiligelmo, c.1100-20. File:Apollonio di giovanni, novella di griselda, 1440 ca. 01.jpg, ''The Tale of Griselda'', Apollonio of Giovanni, c.1440. File:Passerotti Vecchia che ride Galleria Estense Modena.JPG, ''Head of an Old Woman'' Passerotti Bartolomeo, c.1575-80

References

Bibliography

* Luigi Amorth, ''Modena capitale: storia di Modena e dei suoi duchi dal 1598 al 1860'', Martello Editore, Milano, 1973 * Jadranka Bentini, ''Disegni della Galleria Estense di Modena,'' Panini, Modena, 1989. * Herman van Bergeijk, "The first half of the seventeenth century: from the castle to the palace" in ''The Ducal Palace of Modena, seven centuries of a city space'', edited by A. Biondi, Modena 1987. * Maria Grazia Bernardini, ''La Galleria Estense di Modena: guida storico-artistica'', Cinisello Balsamo, Silvana Editoriale, 2006, . * Giorgio Bonsanti, ''Galleria Estense'', Banca popolare di Modena, Modena, 1977 * Stefano Casciu (ed.), (trans. David Kerr),''The Galleria Estense in Modena: a brief guide'', Franco Cosimo Panini, Modena, 2015, . * Stefano Casciu; Sonia Cavicchioli; Elena Fumagalli, ''Modena barocca: Opere e artisti alla corte di Francesco I d'Este (1629–1658)'' Edifir Edizioni Firenze, Firenze, 2013. * Luciano Chiappini, ''Gli Estensi'', Collana ''Le grandi famiglie d'Europa'', Edizioni Dall'Olio, Milano, 1967 * Alessandra Mottola Molfino; Mauro Natale; et al., ''Le Muse e il Principe. Arte di corte del Rinascimento Padano'', catalogo della Mostra tenuta a Milano nel 1991, Franco Cosimo Panini Editore, Modena, 1991 * Angelo Namias, ''Storia di Modena e dei Paesi Circostanti,'' Arnaldo Forni Editore, Bologna, 1893. * Giuseppe Panini, ''La famiglia Estense da Ferrara a Modena'', Edizioni Armo, Modena, 1996 * Angelo Spaggiari e Giuseppe Trenti, ''The state of Modena: a capital, a dynasty, a civilization in the history of Europe,'' Vol. II, Istituto Poligrafico and Zecca dello Stato- Archivi Stato, Modena, 2001. * Adolto Venturi, ''La Galleria Estense di Modena,'' Edizioni Panini, Modena, 1989.

Related entries

Biblioteca Estense The Biblioteca Estense ('' Estense Library''), was the family library of the marquis and dukes of Este. The exact date of the library's birth is still under speculation, however it is known for certain that the library was in use during the fourte ...

Estense Lapidary Museum The Estense Lapidary Museum is a lapidarium-museum in Modena, Italy, located around the interior quadrangle of the ''Palazzo dei Musei's'' ground floor. It is owned by the province of Modena and the Gallerie Estensi. As the first public museum t ...

* Pinacoteca Nazionale in Ferrara * Ducal Palace of Sassuolo

External links

Official websiteShort film exploring the entirety of d'Este line through shots of the gallery and highlights of its collection
''on Discover page of Official website''
House of Este page
on ''Britannica''.

on ''Este court archives.'' {{authority control Art museums and galleries in Emilia-Romagna Museums in Modena Art museums established in 1884 1884 establishments in Italy National museums of Italy