Art History Series: Francois Boucher, Rinaldo and Armida, 1734

Rinaldo and Armida by Francois Boucher, 1734

Francois Boucher (1703 – 1770) Rinaldo and Armida, 1734

    I have already told you about the life of François Boucher, but today I want to show one of his works in particular which I saw at the Louvre. His career as an artist began from early childhood as he received his first training from his artist father at home. One of his paintings came to the attention of a famous artist at the time, François Lemoyne (Royal Painter to Louis XV) when he was 17yo. In 1720 he won the Grand Prix of Rome, but due to financial difficulties with the French school, he did not go until 5 years later. He then returned again to the Académie de peinture et de sculpture, which was under new management and curriculum, and submitted the following picture as his entry work. This is Rinaldo and Armida from 1734.

    The story it tells is from Torquato Tasso's Gerusalemme Liberata from 1581. It tells of the war between the Christians and the Saracens, and when the sorceress Armida is about to kill the sleeping soldier Rinaldo, she falls in love with him and takes him to her magical castle away from the ruin of the world. Boucher, of course, true to his style, shows this epic scene in a very intimate and tender version unlike other artists who used this theme. Impressive work, isn't it?

    Regards,

    Julia

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