Portrait of Francesco d'Este  1460

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 or symbols of power, and the unusual white background could refer to the Este family’s livery colors (white, red, and green). Rogier van der Weyden was one of the most influential painters of the fiftee...