1779
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Gallery of Armenia
Rinaldo and Armida is a 1779 oil by Jean Honoré Fragonard, depicting Armida, held at National Gallery of Armenia.
This painting depicts a dramatic scene with a woman in a white dress and a man in armor, possibly Rinaldo, lying on the ground. The woman, possibly Armida, stands over him, her dress flowing around her. A group of cherubs surrounds them, some holding objects like a bow and arrow. In the background, there are trees and a blue sky, suggesting an outdoor setting. The overall atmosphere is one of tension and drama, with the woman's pose and the cherubs' actions adding to the sense of urgency. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and emotion to the scene. Look up the technique of chiaroscuro next.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard was born on 5 April 1732 in Grasse, the son of a glover, and moved with his family to Paris in 1738.
See the richer artist page
