In the heart of the Duomo of Este, behind the main altar, one of the absolute masterpieces of the Italian eighteenth century is preserved: the altarpiece "Saint Tecla Interceding with God the Father" by Giambattista Tiepolo, created between 1758 and 1759. The work, commissioned by the Magnificent Community of Este, originated as an invitation to prayer and hope for a city marked by the memory of the plague of 1630-31.
Tiepolo constructs a scene of great emotional and luminous impact: Saint Tecla, the patroness of the city, is depicted in an act of supplication as she intercedes with God the Father for the salvation of the Este people. In the upper part, the divine figure emerges among clouds and angels, in a composition dominated by bright colors and strong dynamism.
In the background, the painter includes a striking view of Este with its main monuments – the Duomo, the Carrarese Castle, the Old Gate, and the Prince's Palace – transforming the altarpiece into a sort of historical "portrait" of the city. Next to the saint appear human figures marked by pain, which make the scene deeply engaging and dramatic.
Painted on a special curved frame to fit the apse, the work has undergone multiple restorations; the most recent intervention has restored the original brightness of the colors and the narrative strength of the Venetian master.
Today, Tiepolo's altarpiece is one of the greatest artistic treasures of Este, an extraordinary testimony of faith, history, and civic identity.
