“Francesco II came to power in 1674 at just fourteen. With little interest in governing, he made his mark above all as a patron of music, and left an unequalled legacy of musical scores, texts and manuscripts in the Biblioteca Estense (which he re-founded in Modena). He also reinstalled part of the family art collections in a new ‘gallery’ of drawings, medals, objects and sculptures, which would henceforth be greatly admired by visitors to the Ducal Palace in Modena.”

Francesco II died aged 34 in 1694, he was not married nor did he father any children. His sister maried king James II of England.