Francesco I

duke of Modena and Reggio

Also known as: Francesco I d’Este

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June 26, 2026

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Francesco I was the Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1629 to 1658, during the tumultuous period of the Thirty Years' War. He navigated his duchy through the devastating plague of 1630 and engaged in shifting alliances with Spain and France. Despite his political maneuvering, he died in battle fighting the Spaniards. Francesco I was a patron of the arts, and notable portraits of him exist by Diego Velázquez and a bust by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. He was a member of the House of Este, a prominent family in medieval and Renaissance Italy that ruled Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio for centuries.1

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Rogier van der Weyden
He painted a portrait of Francesco d’Este (originally thought to be Leonello d’Este), and his painting of the Madonna and Child that still remains in Florence (Uffizi) bears the arms and patron saints of the Medici.
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He painted a portrait of Francesco d’Este (originally thought to be Leonello d’Este), and his painting of the Madonna and Child that still remains in Florence (Uffizi) bears the arms and patron saints of the Medici.
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house of Este
Decline of power
…followed in the 17th century, Francesco I (reigned 1629–58), who came to the throne during the stormy period of the Thirty Years’ War, was perhaps the most important. His people were able to survive the famous plague of 1630. In the wars he was first allied to Spain, then to…
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…followed in the 17th century, Francesco I (reigned 1629–58), who came to the throne during the stormy period of the Thirty Years’ War, was perhaps the most important. His people were able to survive the famous plague of 1630. In the wars he was first allied to Spain, then to…
Read More