 Although a skillful military commander, Francesco was renowned for his upright character and religious ideals.He enriched Modena with the construction of the Ducal Palace of Modena, the large Teatro della Spelta, the Villa delle Pentetorri, a port on an enlarged Naviglio channel and the restoration of the Cittadella.Francesco was immortalized by Bernini in a sculpture made around 1650–1651 (Este Gallery and Museum, Modena).