Rinaldo under Armida’s Spell
Historical Context
Rinaldo under Armida's Spell, painted in 1753 and now in the collection of the Bavarian Administration of State-Owned Palaces, depicts the Tasso episode where the enchantress Armida casts her spell over the sleeping Christian knight Rinaldo. Tiepolo's treatment of this literary subject brings characteristic luminosity to the enchanted garden setting. The painting was created for the Würzburg Residenz, where Tiepolo executed his most celebrated fresco cycle (1750-1753). The Residenz commission — decorating the grand staircase and Imperial Hall — represented the peak of Tiepolo's career and the supreme achievement of eighteenth-century European ceiling painting.
Technical Analysis
The painting showcases Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's luminous palette, with dramatic foreshortening lending the work its distinctive character. The palette and brushwork are calibrated to serve the subject matter, demonstrating the technical command expected of a work from this period.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the enchanted garden setting where the sorceress Armida casts her spell over the sleeping knight Rinaldo from Tasso's epic poem.
- ◆Look at the characteristic luminosity Tiepolo brings to this literary subject, created for the celebrated Würzburg Residenz.
- ◆Observe that this painting was part of the commission where Tiepolo executed his most celebrated fresco cycle — the supreme achievement of eighteenth-century European ceiling painting.
See It In Person
Bavarian Administration of State-Owned Palaces, Gardens and Lakes
London, United Kingdom
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