The plague of 1630 did not spare Modena, killing almost half of its inhabitants. To fulfil a vow made by the citizens, the Conservatori commissioned Cristoforo Malagola to build the new Chiesa del Voto, or “Votive Church”, in thanks to the Blessed Virgin of Ghiara for ending the epidemic. In 1638 the Council of the city commissioned Ludovico Lana to paint the Altarpiece of the Plague for the votive chapel of the church. The same artist had already completed the votive standard. Thanks to this impressive assignment, Lana managed to obtain other important public and private commissions, soon becoming a court painter and enjoying the patronage of the new Duke of Modena and Reggio, Francesco I d’Este.