Galleria Estense
Theme ART AND CULTURE
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Galleria Estense

Estense Gallery is among the most important art collections in Italy. It is evidence that the Este Dynasty was not solely interested in painting and sculpture, but also collected archeological pieces and traditional arts and crafts. Bernini’s marble bust of Francis I d’Este, a Velázquez portrait of Francis I, Cosmè Tura’s “Saint Anthony of Padua”, Correggio’s “Madonna and Christ Child”, a triptych by El Greco, and a crucifix by Guido Reni are particularly noteworthy. The collection focuses prominently on painting in the Po valley area between the 1300s and the 1700s.

Since 1884 the Gallery has been housed in the Palazzo dei Musei, ex poorhouse, designed by the architect Pietro Termanini on commission of Francis III and completed in 1771.

Since the end of 1800 to date the collections, kept on the top floor of the building, have several times changed arrangement dictated by diversified exhibition formulas.

From Adolfo Venturi, first curator of the Gallery, to Serafino Ricci, Roberto Salvini and Rodolfo Pallucchini to the most recent curators, only a part of the works could be exhibited to the public: still today, after the environmental transformation of the seventies, entire nuclei cannot be viewed for reasons of space.

At present, the rationally upgraded Gallery is equipped with all the tools and systems required to best preserve the works.
The picture gallery comprises paintings, drawings, objects, bronzes and medals which belonged to the ducal family and came to Modena when the court moved to the new capital. Depauperated in 1746 following the sale of one hundred masterpieces to the elector of Sassonia for the sum of one hundred thousand sequins, it was subsequently enriched with new acquisitions.

Today it holds numerous masterpieces, gold oddments, tablets of the Flemish masters and Venetian and Emilian painting. Among other things stand out the bust of Francis I by Bernini, the portrait of the duke of Velasquez, the triptych of El Greco and the paintings of Correggio, Tintoretto, Veronese, Guido Reni, Guercino, Salvator Rosa among the most well-known

Opening hours

From Tuesday to Saturday: 8.30 am - 7.30 pm
On Sunday and holidays: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm

During this period, opening hours and accessibility may change at short notice, so we recommend that you always check the information published on the website https://www.gallerie-estensi.beniculturali.it/en/galleria-estense/ before going to the Estense Gallery.

Tickets and admission

Check on their website