The most frequently-painted of Boccaccio’s hundred stories, shown here from Rubens to Frederic, Lord Leighton. But there’s much more to the story than that.
narrative
The last challenge to the delivery of Jerusalem is the attack of the massed army of the Egyptians. It brings Armida’s reconciliation with Rinaldo, and more fine paintings.
Between 1778 and 1815, many narrative painters painted stories from Ossian, based on myths claimed to have been discovered and collected by a Scottish poet, which could well be a hoax. Does it matter?
A gruesome story of two dead lovers which is used to persuade a young woman to be more responsive to her wooing. Painted by Botticelli and Ghirlandaio.
With an army from Egypt on its way, the crusaders have no time to lose. Rinaldo removes the spells preventing them from cutting timber, and they are soon assaulting the city of Jerusalem.
Both Poussin and Delacroix painted important series just before they died. Others here from Bouguereau, Mucha, and the Japanese Araki.
Set in a framing story of the Black Death striking Florence, its ten characters each tell ten stories over two weeks. Many fine paintings result.
Rinaldo recovers his senses, and feels ashamed. He rushes off to rejoin the crusaders, but Armida pleads with him to stay. When he refuses, she seeks vengeance.
Narrative works by Corinth, Klimt, and others; figurative work by the same two, Schiele and Munch.
The rescue of Rinaldo gets under way. Meanwhile he is making love with Armida in the perpetual spring of her garden. Superb paintings from Poussin, Tiepolo, Kauffman, Stillman, and others.
The Eclectic Light Company 