Lot Essay
Executed after the artist's trip to Saint Petersburg
The subject, taken from Tasso La Gerusalemme Liberata, depicts Charles and Ubalde searching for Renaud, who was held prisoner in the palace of Armide. While in pursuit they were met by nymphs, who enticed them to lay down their arms and join in their company. However, the wise woman, Melisse, supplied Ublade with a golden wand, and warned them that the nymphs, through their treacherous caresses, would try to obtain the wand and prevent him from rescuing Renaud, his lover.
The present painting may have been inspired by Armide, an opera by Gluck, which was based on the libretto by Quinault and which was being performed in Paris, beginning in 1777, with great success. The subject was taken from a series of lyric tragedies.
The subject, taken from Tasso La Gerusalemme Liberata, depicts Charles and Ubalde searching for Renaud, who was held prisoner in the palace of Armide. While in pursuit they were met by nymphs, who enticed them to lay down their arms and join in their company. However, the wise woman, Melisse, supplied Ublade with a golden wand, and warned them that the nymphs, through their treacherous caresses, would try to obtain the wand and prevent him from rescuing Renaud, his lover.
The present painting may have been inspired by Armide, an opera by Gluck, which was based on the libretto by Quinault and which was being performed in Paris, beginning in 1777, with great success. The subject was taken from a series of lyric tragedies.