Rinaldo and the Magus of Ascalon
1742
Oil on canvas
182.4 x 182.9 cm
Bequest of James Deering, 1925.702

These four large paintings that once hung in a Venetian palace tell the story of the crusader Rinaldo and the enchantress Armida. In this series, (1) Armida descends on a cloud in front of Rinaldo who sleeps under a spell she has cast. (2) Rinaldo and Armida relax in her garden, as soldiers approach in the distance. (3) Rinaldo abandons Armida after his soldiers convince him to return to battle. (4) A wise man predicts that Rinaldo will lead his troops to victory, as two soldiers look confidently into the distance.