Luigi I d'Este, Marquis of Montecchio & Scandiano

 Salvete Omnes,

Luigi I d'Este, Marquis of Montecchio and Scandiano  - 1594-1664.
Italian imperial soldier and commander, participant of the 30 Years War and the war of Manuan Succession. 
His monumental portrait, by Nicolas Regnier, astride a powerful paint horse, probably a Neapolitan or Spanish war horse (could be Polish too, his head being small and eyes very large).

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Marquis was portrayed wearing the final version of plate armor, a cuirassier version; most likely this armor was made shot-proof, withstanding pistol shot from close quarters if in the melee or hand to hand combat, and perhaps the cuirass itself was proofed against long distance musket shot. Note his long yellow riding boots.
His horse  was probably trained according to the highest Italian horsemanship standard, perhaps the presence of long-shanked curb-bit with rather  relaxed rein - note the tassel on its end, so the reins are split.

ornate bridle

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ornate breastplate with a tassel

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ornate, wide stirrups ..

there is another portrait of don Luigi while mounted, and I will discuss it too later one. 

Valete