Description
The painting Rinaldo's Farewell to Armida by Giovanni Lanfranco is an Italian Baroque masterpiece that captivates with its beauty and complexity. The scene represents the moment when the knight Rinaldo leaves his lover Armida to join the Crusade.
Lanfranco's artistic style is characterized by elegance and drama, and his ability to depict moving human figures and intense emotions can be appreciated in this work. The composition is dynamic and balanced, with a diagonal that crosses the scene and unites the main characters.
Color is another prominent aspect of the painting, with a rich and vibrant palette reflecting the passion and intensity of the moment. The warm tones of Armida's clothing contrast with the cool, dark colors of the soldiers preparing for battle.
The history of the painting is interesting, as it was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese for his private collection and later sold to King Charles I of England. After the king's execution, the painting passed through several hands until it was acquired by the Prado Museum in Madrid, where it is currently located.
A little known aspect of the work is that Lanfranco was inspired by Torquato Tasso's Renaissance epic The Liberated Jerusalem to create the scene. Furthermore, the figure of Armida is based on an ancient sculpture of the goddess Venus that Lanfranco had seen in the Palazzo Barberini in Rome.
All in all, Rinaldo's Farewell to Armida is a fascinating work that demonstrates Lanfranco's mastery of Baroque painting, with a dynamic composition, vibrant coloring, and an interesting story behind it.