Fulvio Testi

Who was Fulvio Testi?

Fulvio Testi was an Italian diplomat and poet. Recognised as one of the main exponents of 17th century Baroque literature, he worked in the service of the d'Este dukes in Modena, for whom he held high office, such as the governorship of Garfagnana. His poems tackle civic themes and are solemn in tone, showing Testi's lasting anti-Spanish and pro-Savoy political passions. Accused of treason, for having tried to set up diplomatic relations with the French court, he was imprisoned and died in jail soon after. One later literary critic wrote: