School of Ferrara

• The School of Ferrara was a group of painters which flourished in the Duchy of Ferrara during the Renaissance.
• Ferrara was ruled by the Este family, well known for its patronage of the arts.
• Patronage was extended with the ascent of Ercole d'Este I in 1470, and the family continued in power till Alfonso II, Ercole's great-grandson, died without an heir in 1597.
• The duchy was then occupied in succession by Papal and Austrian forces.
• The school evolved styles of painting that appeared to blend influences from Mantua, Venice, Lombardy, Bologna, and Florence.

• Especially in the late 15th century Ferrara was also a main centre of engraving in Italy.

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