Ernesto Parmeggiani was in his third year at the Pensionato Poletti academy in 1903 when he presented his work Francesca da Rimini. The painting demonstrates his figurative abilities and an attention to detail reflecting an abandonment of the symbolism of the previous student work in this homage to literary culture with a scene taken from the Divine Comedy: the flowers and book on the floor suggest a moment devoted to reading interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the young suitor, Paolo. Behind him we see the face of the young Francesca who, eyes half closed, is overwhelmed by the kiss of her lover.