The unicorn and the land reclamation of Ferrara
The unicorn is an imaginary animal with a horse’s body that dons a horn placed delicately in the middle of its brow and it is known for its magical powers. It is a recurring element within the Ferrara court. During the Renaissance, Borso d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, linked the depiction of a unicorn to the Estense land reclamation. The legendary animal purified the water from its poison, in the same way that “Borso, chaste and prudent, brought peace to his subordinates and eased their burdens.” In the unicorn’s miraculous role, it appears within numerous works in Ferrara. Here we note the most celebrated which include the famous miniature Bible of Borso d’Este and the portrait of the unicorn located in the main entrance to the Palazzo Schifanoia.