Rinaldo and Armida
1785
Here, the sorceress Armida discovers the sleeping knight Rinaldo, a scene from Torquato Tasso’s epic poem *Jerusalem Delivered*. She was originally sent to kill him, but one look at his sleeping face changed her plans—now she’s gently binding him with a flower garland, trapping him in love rather than death. Angelica Kauffmann, a Neoclassical powerhouse and founding member of the Royal Academy, created the original composition, but this specific image is a masterful engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi (you can spot his signature 'sculp' at the bottom right!). It captures a moment of quiet, romantic tension where a warrior is completely at the mercy of a sorceress's affection.
- Technique
- Engraving
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