Rinaldo and Armida

Charles de la Fosse (Paris 1636 – Paris 1716). Oil painting on canvas, Rinaldo and Armida by Charles de la Fosse (1636-1716). Rinaldo, a Christian Prince or crusading knight and Armida, a Saracen sorceress, are a pair of lovers from the Italian epic poem on the subject of the Crusades, Gerusalemme Liberata (Jerusalem Delivered) by Torquato Tasso (1544-1595). The subject here is Armida and the sleeping Rinaldo when, during his search for a magical island on the River Orontes in Syria, Rinaldo falls into an enchanted sleep. Armida discovers him, meaning to kill him, but falls in love with him instead. Rinaldo is seen lying underneath some trees with his head on a cushion, his armour and a leopard skin laid to one side. He holds a spear in his left hand. Armida, with long blonde hair and blue cloak, kneels beside him. She is accompanied by two female attendants. Three putti fly above the head of Rinaldo, carrying off his helmet, shield and sword. A fourth points to Rinaldo. A landscape with distant hills can be seen at the far left. This painting forms one of a pair with L/BAS/P/5, The Rape of Europa, also by Charles de la Fosse. Basildon Park, Berkshire (Accredited Museum)