ticketsMember | Make a donation
English

Francesco d'Este (born ca. 1429, died after 1486)

Rogier van der Weyden Netherlandish
ca. 1460
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 605

The son of Leonello d’Este, ruler of Ferrara, Francesco received his education at the court of Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy. The hammer and ring may be jousting prizes, and the unusual white background could refer to the Este family’s livery colors (white, red, and green). The elegant lines of the sitter’s face and hands reflect the qualities that established Rogier van der Weyden’s supremacy as a court portraitist in the Netherlands.

Reverse:

The Este family coat of arms and crest on the reverse of the panel emphasize the heraldic quality of the portrait. The inscription, "v[ot]re tout . . . francisque" (entirely yours, Francesco), forms a dedication to the portrait’s recipient, perhaps a friend or member of Philip the Good’s court. The "m" and "e" stand for "marchio estensis," the title extended to Francesco. The enigmatic scratched inscription in the upper left, "non plus / courcelles," may refer to the village in Burgundy where Francesco died.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Francesco d'Este (born ca. 1429, died after 1486)
  • Artist: Rogier van der Weyden (Netherlandish, Tournai ca. 1399–1464 Brussels)
  • Date: ca. 1460
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall 12 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. (31.8 x 22.2 cm): painted surface, each side 11 3/4 x 8 in. (29.8 x 20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
  • Object Number: 32.100.43
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

Audio

Cover Image for 5122. Francesco d'Este (born about 1430, died after 1475), Part 1

5122. Francesco d'Este (born about 1430, died after 1475), Part 1

0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.

    Listen to more about this artwork

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Portrait of a Man in a Chaperon, Netherlandish Painter Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Portrait of a Man in a Chaperon
Netherlandish Painter
The Holy Family with Saint Paul and a Donor, Rogier van der Weyden Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Holy Family with Saint Paul and a Donor
Rogier van der Weyden
Man in Prayer, Rogier van der Weyden Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Man in Prayer
Rogier van der Weyden
ca. 1440
Portrait of a Man with an Open Book (Guillaume Fillastre?) (recto); Branch of Holly and Inscription (verso), Rogier van der Weyden Netherlandish, Oil on oak panel
Returned to lender
Portrait of a Man with an Open Book (Guillaume Fillastre?) (recto); Branch of Holly and Inscription (verso)
Rogier van der Weyden
1430s?
The Nativity Polyptych, Rogier van der Weyden Netherlandish, Oil on oak, Netherlandish
The Nativity Polyptych
Rogier van der Weyden
ca. 1450–60

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 14

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.