Francesco I d'Este Secures the Fort and the Land to Protect from the German Troops, from L'Idea di un Principe ed Eroe Cristiano in Francesco I d'Este, di Modena e Reggio Duca VIII [...] 1659

This etching, created by Bartolomeo Fenice in 1659, depicts Francesco I d’Este, Duke of Modena and Reggio, leading his troops to defend his territory against German invaders. The scene is set in a vast, open landscape, with the fortified city in the distance and a line of soldiers on horseback moving towards the viewer in the foreground. The artist's use of delicate lines and shading creates a sense of both grandeur and vulnerability, reflecting the precariousness of Francesco I’s situation. The composition emphasizes the importance of leadership and military strength in defending one’s land, a central theme of the 17th-century Italian Baroque. This work is a significant example of the genre of military art and is considered a valuable historical document of the period.