Established in 1854 by Francesco V of Austria Este and housed since 1894 in the current location of the Palazzo dei Musei, the Estense Gallery comprises four salons and sixteen exhibition rooms dedicated to the substantial artistic heritage accumulated by the Dukes of Este since the glorious years of the Ferrara lordship.
Oriented towards an aristocratic collecting with diverse interests, the Estense collections include the rich picture gallery, which holds a fine number of paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, among which is a group dedicated to the Po Valley painting, various marble and terracotta sculptures.
A substantial collection of applied art objects that were part of the sumptuous ducal wardrobe, as well as several specific collections such as those of drawings, bronzes, majolica, medals, ivories, and musical instruments. Among the most notable works are The Pietà by Cima da Conegliano, the Madonna with Child by Correggio, the Portrait of Francesco I d’Este by Velazquez, the Triptych by El Greco, the marble bust of Francesco I d’Este by Bernini and the Crucifix by Guido Reni.
Estense Gallery Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday: 8.30 AM – 7.00 PM Sunday: 2.00 PM – 7.00 PM Monday: 8.30 AM – 2.00 PM First Sunday of every month: 8.30 AM – 7.00 PM, with free entry. Monday, March 28 and Monday, April 25: 2.00 PM – 7.00 PM.
