Italienischer Meister des 17. Jahrhunderts
RINALDO AND ARMIDA
Oil on canvas.
53 x 69 cm.
Frame damage.

Depicted after an epic by Torquato Tasso published in 1580/81: the Christian crusader Rinaldo is supposed to be killed by the sorceress Armida; however, she falls in love with him and abducts him to a magical island; the two lovers are depicted here in the centre. Armida wears a golden yellow shiny dress and coiffures her hair, which is decorated with precious pearls. In search of her companion, two knights have found the enchantress' dwelling; both are shown here on the right side in full armour, hiding behind a tree. They have already succeeded in giving Rinaldo a mirror of diamonds, which is held in his hands by the man dressed in a reddish robe, lying on a blue cloth and in the lap of the Armida. By looking into the mirror, he recognizes the enchanted world around him and leaves the island. A small putto in the foreground alludes to the amorous relationship between the knight and the enchantress. Painterly precise and compositionally successful realisation with many details of the love relationship described in the epic. (1221479) (18)