Angelica Is Exposed to the Orc
1780s
Fragonard brings a dramatic scene from the epic poem Orlando Furioso to life with his trademark swirling energy. The beautiful princess Angelica is depicted in a small boat, seemingly at the mercy of the elements and a looming, trident-wielding sea creature rising from the clouds above. Despite the perilous subject matter, the artist's loose, rapid brushstrokes give the composition a sense of wild motion rather than static terror. It's a fantastic example of how this Rococo master could capture intense narrative moments with just a few swift, expressive marks.