Portrait of Beatrice d'Este

myminifactory

The elegant and refined bust showcases a Renaissance princess from Ferrara, who was engaged at five and married at fifteen as still a young girl. Clearly she is depicted during her engagement, since the inscription refers to her as Ercole d'Este's daughter. She attempted to make up for an unhappy marriage by transforming Milan into a renowned cultural hub but her impact, like her life, was fleeting. On the bust Romano pays homage to but moderates the ornate Lombard flair in the decorative embellishment of the costume and headgear. Her intricate hairstyle ends with long braids, neatly secured with ribbons, which cascade down her back like a plummeting line.