After a Long March, Francesco I d'Este Passes with the River of Cassano with his Army, thus Causing Great Harm to the Spanish, from L'Idea di un Principe ed Eroe Cristiano in Francesco I d'Este, di Modena e Reggio Duca VIII [...]

Art Historical Context

This etching, titled *After a Long March, Francesco d'Este Passes with River of Cassano with Army, thus Causing Harm to the Spanish*, a dramatic moment from the military campaigns of Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena and Reggio (r. 1629–1658). in 1659 as part of the illustrated book *L'Idea di un Principe ed Eroe Cristiano it glorifies the duke as a heroic Christian prince. The scene depicts his army boldly crossing the River Adda at Cassano d'Adda after an exhausting march, outmaneuvering Spanish forces and inflicting significant damage—a testament to 17th-century Italian rivalries amid broader European conflicts like the Wars of Castro. Created by etchers Bartolomeo Fenice (Fénis) and Domenico Gamberti, the print exemplifies the intricate line work of etching, where acid etches fine details into a metal plate for precise reproduction. At just under 5 by 6 ½ inches, its compact size made it ideal for book illustrations, allowing widespread dissemination of ducal propaganda. Dynamic tags like horses, battles, soldiers, and men evoke the chaos of warfare, with swirling troops and mounts conveying motion and valor. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work highlights Baroque-era printmaking's role in shaping public image, blending historical record with heroic idealization to inspire loyalty to Modena's ruler.

About the Artist

Bartolomeo Fenice (Fénis)|Domenico Gamberti (Italian|Italian) · | – |

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