Rinaldo and Armida (1734) by Francois Boucher

Rinaldo and Armida - Francois Boucher - 1734

Artwork Information

TitleRinaldo and Armida
ArtistFrancois Boucher
Date1734
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions135 x 170 cm
Art MovementRococo

About Rinaldo and Armida

The artwork “Rinaldo and Armida” is an oil on canvas created by the renowned French artist François Boucher in the year 1734. Its dimensions measure 135 by 170 centimeters. Boucher’s work is classified within the Rococo movement and can be described as a literary painting, as it draws its theme from literary sources.

The artwork depicts a rich and elaborate scene filled with romantic and mythological undertones typical of the Rococo era. In the foreground, we see the figures of Rinaldo and Armida, characters from Torquato Tasso’s epic poem “Jerusalem Delivered.” Armida, a sorceress, has bewitched the crusader knight Rinaldo, and in the painting, she is seen delicately playing with his hair. The knight is depicted in a relaxed pose, with a gaze of adoration towards Armida, suggesting a moment of tender intimacy. The background includes a group of putti or cherubs, with two of them engaging playfully with a harp, adding an element of lively innocence to the scene.

The scene is set against an antique backdrop with classical architecture, draped fabrics, and an overgrown, abandoned temple, indicating a mythical or pastoral setting. The fluidity of the drapery and the softness of the figures are hallmarks of Boucher’s style, with a color palette that emphasizes pastel hues and accentuates the idyllic atmosphere of the composition.

The artwork encompasses the essence of the Rococo movement with its emphasis on decorative elegance, sensual opulence, and the theme of love, embodying the taste and cultural preoccupations of the aristocratic circles of 18th-century France.

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