Rinaldo and Armida in Her Garden — History & Facts
A woman in a white bodice and flowing golden-orange skirt sits on a grassy bank at the left, her body turned toward a man in armor who sits beside her. She holds a large, ornate mirror in her right hand, angling it so that her face is reflected to the man, who gazes at her intently. A blue cloak lies discarded on the ground at her feet, and the sunlight catches the folds of her skirt, creating a striking contrast between the cool shadow and warm highlights.
The man at her side wears a breastplate and short tunic, with his shield and sword set aside on the ground, his posture relaxed as he leans toward her and the mirror. Behind the pair, a garden wall with white stone posts separates them from two armored men who peer over the balustrade from the right, their faces partly obscured by helmets and shadows. Above the central figures, a winged putto flies in from the left, clutching a bow and a quiver of arrows, its form rendered with airy, loose brushstrokes.
The background is filled with lush green foliage, tall cypress trees, and a round classical pavilion, all set beneath a pale blue sky streaked with soft clouds and distant birds. The surface reveals Tiepolo's characteristic light touch, with fluid lines, transparent glazes, and vibrant color harmonies that create a sense of movement and theatricality. The subject comes from the story of Rinaldo and Armida, with Rinaldo shown in armor and Armida holding a magic mirror. The painting is associated with the Rococo movement, as noted in the records.
The work has been shown in major exhibitions in Chicago, London, Washington, Venice, and New York.
Sources: Art Institute of Chicago, record 1925.699 · Wikidata Q20272730
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