THE city of Modena gave birth to the early painters Tommaso da Modena (1325–1379) and Barnaba da Modena (fl. 1377), who worked in many different parts of Tuscany. The prominent figure in this school, however, is Francesco Bianchi (1460–1510). This painter, whose name is sometimes given as Francesco Bianchi Ferrari, was in all probability a pupil of Cosimo Tura at Ferrara. He left that city about 1480 for Modena. His style of painting has been the subject of much discussion, chiefly because he is regarded as the master of Correggio of Parma. The Madonna and Child, with St. Benedict and St. Quentin (No. 1167), although officially catalogued under his name, is not now generally accepted as his work. In 1725 it was in the Church of St. Quentin at Parma and attributed to Francia. Certain critics have ascribed it to Alessandro da Carpi and others to Pellegrino Munari of Modena (1450?–1523). Bianchi’s work can only be studied in the Pinacoteca Estense and in the churches at Modena.

The three pictures officially catalogued under the name of the third-rate artist Bartolommeo Schidone (1570?–1615) are not exhibited, nor are they missed,—a remark which will also apply to a St. Cecilia (No. 1253) by Jacopo Cavedone (1577–1660).