Rinaldo and Armida

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François Boucher, Rinaldo and Armida, 1734
By MISSY ROSENTHAL

Boucher's Rinaldo and Armida elevates the classic figures from the 16th century epic poem. Rinaldo and Armida are the two central characters in "Gerusalamme Liberata"( Jerusalem Delivered) written by Torquato Tasso. Gerusalamme Liberata takes place during the first crusade. An army captain, Rinaldo, was spotted by the king's sorceress, Armida, she in turn kidnaps him and takes him into the Garden of Pleasure. In the Garden of Pleasure, Armida places Rinaldo under a spell to fall in love with her. Rinaldo's General and his brother decided to save Renaldo by finding a hermit to break the spell. The hermit gave them a diamond mirror that was percieved to cure Rinaldo's infatuation. The two soldiers found the hidden garden and broke the spell, leaving Armida heartbroken for eternity. 


Boucher places the two subjects in the Garden just as the two soldiers are about the break Armida's spell. The artists places the lower and the cherubs in a circular composition. The red fabric engulfing the two lowers shows their infatuation with one another. The piece is lit by a singular white cloud, while the rest of the background's grays are meant to symbolize the impending doom for Armida. Boucher splits his work by using many diagonals. These diagonals give focus to the two main subjects by creating staging for the piece. 

The realistic fabrics are true characteristics of Boucher's works and the Rococo movement. The Rocco movement showcased the life of the aristocracy. The incredibly wealthy were often well read and this portrait portraying classic literature and architecture are other example of the movement. Boucher's masterful portrayal of "Gerusalamme Liberata"showed the best of Boucher and the Rococo time period.

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