Francesco I d'Este Assists His Subjects with Great Generosity During the Great Famine of 1648 and 1649, 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, created in 1659 by Bartolomeo Fenice ( known as Fénis and Domenico Gamberti, captures a moment of profound benevolence: Duke Francesco I d'Este Modena and Reggio aiding his starving subjects during the devastating Great Famine of 1648–49. Titled *Francesco I d'Esteists His Subjects with Greatosity During the Great F of 1648 and 1649*, it forms part of the illustrated publication *L'Idea di un Principe ed Eroe Cristiano Francesco I d'Este a lavish tribute portraying the duke as an ideal Christian prince and hero. The scene likely teems with human figures, horses, and buildings, evoking the chaos of famine relief amid 17th-century Italy's hardships, exacerbated by poor harvests and war. Etching, the printmaking technique used here, allowed for intricate details on a modest scale—its plate measures just 4¾ × 6¼ inches—making it ideal for wide dissemination of ducal propaganda. Fenice and Gamberti's collaboration exemplifies Baroque-era print culture, where fine lines and tonal depth glorified rulers, blending historical record with moral allegory. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work from The Elisha Whittelsey Collection highlights how art served political piety, immortalizing Francesco I's legacy of compassion in an age of princely patronage.

About the Artist

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

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