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Bust of Francesco I d'Este

The Bust of Francesco I d'Este is a sculptural portrait by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, created between 1650 and 1652. Made of marble, it depicts Francesco I d’Este, Duke of Modena. The work is noted for its noble facial expression, extensive drapery, and voluminous hair, features that reflect Bernini’s characteristic way of portraying “absolute monarchs” with elevated, oblique poses. The sculpture is currently in the Estense Museum in Modena, Italy. In 1660, Francesco Stringa painted the bust surrounded by several objects, and that painting is now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Marble bust of Francesco I d\'Este with curly hair, draped clothing, and an ornate pedestal against a black background.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, shown on its carved pedestal against a plain black background.
April 2024 © · CC0
Marble bust of Francesco I d\'Este with curly hair, a ruffled collar, and draped armor-like clothing.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este, sculpted in marble by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
April 2024 © · CC0
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este in white marble, showing a man with a curly wig and ruffled collar on a pedestal.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este, a white marble portrait sculpture with an elaborate wig and draped armor.
September 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
White marble bust of Francesco I d\'Este with long curly hair and draped shoulders, displayed on a pedestal against a dark wall.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este in white marble, shown on a pedestal in a museum setting.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Marble bust of Francesco I d\'Este with curly hair, ornate collar, and draped clothing on a pedestal.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este in white marble, sculpted with expressive features and elaborate drapery.
April 2024 © · CC0
Marble bust of Francesco I d\'Este with curled hair and a lace collar.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, showing the sculpted curls and detailed collar.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este in white marble, with curly hair, a mustache, and a lace collar.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este in white marble, showing the detailed lace collar and curled hair.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
White marble bust of Francesco I d\'Este with curly hair, an ornate lace collar, and a draped garment against a red wall.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este in white marble, shown with elaborate lace and drapery details.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este on a pedestal at the end of a museum hall.
Bust of Francesco I d\'Este displayed on a pedestal in a museum hall.
August 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Close-up of the Bust of Francesco I d\'Este showing the marble curls, cravat, and draped clothing against a red background.
Detail of Bernini’s Bust of Francesco I d’Este, highlighting the finely carved hair and upper torso.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleBust of Francesco I d'Este
TypePortrait bust

Creator

ArtistGian Lorenzo Bernini
Artist nationalityItalian

Historical context

Date1650–1652; completion in September 1651; commissioning in August 1650
Commissioned byFrancesco I d'Este
Commission contextAlessandro Algardi was initially considered, but the idea was rejected
Historical contextThe bust was made shortly after Bernini completed the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome
Historical receptionThe work had notable success already at the time of its creation

Discovery and provenance

Arrival in ModenaNovember 1651
Payment amount3,000 scudi
Reception by the patronFrancesco I d'Este was so impressed by the bust that he paid Bernini 3,000 scudi
Modeling sourceBased on painted likenesses rather than direct sittings
TransportThe completed work was transported in a crate on a cart to Modena
Artist's reaction to working without seeing the modelBernini said making a bust without ever having seen the model was 'nearly impossible' / 'almost impossible' and vowed not to work that way again; he apologized in advance for any possible lack of resemblance
Additional reference information requestedMore portraits of the duke and the exact measurements of his height and shoulder width
Portrait sources usedPaintings by Justus Sustermans and Jean Boulanger, sent from Modena specifically for Bernini to use
Payment comparisonThe sum matched the amount Bernini had recently received from Pope Innocent X for the Fountain of the Four Rivers

Materials

MaterialMarble

Physical characteristics

Height106 cm
ConditionPreserved

Appearance

PoseTurning to the right; shown in the act of turning; supposedly superior pose
Facial expressionNoble but detached
DraperyExtensive drapery / extended draperies
HairLuxurious locks of hair / voluminous hair
Composition and emphasisBernini emphasized secondary elements such as the wig, the ruff, and especially the mantle/cloak
Mantle or cloak effectThe mantle/cloak hides the cut of the chest, torso, and arms and gives the marble mass an appearance of lightness; it appears to float in the air according to Jérôme Lalande

Iconography and meaning

SubjectFrancesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena and Reggio
Stylistic interpretationOften considered emblematic of Bernini's representation of 'absolute monarchs,' portrayed in superior poses and seemingly oblivious to their surroundings

Location and ownership

Current locationMuseo Estense / Galleria Estense / Estense Gallery, Modena, Italy

History and restoration

Related artworkA painting of the bust, surrounded by various objects
Related artwork artistFrancesco Stringa
Related artwork dateLate 1660s
Related artwork locationMinneapolis Institute of Art

Significance

Later influenceThe same details were reused about a decade later for the bust of Louis XIV of France at Versailles

Other

Quoted sourceJérôme Lalande, Voyage d'un Français en Italie, fait dans les années 1765 et 1766