Dante meets St Thomas Aquinas in the shell of the sun, then moves upward to that of Mars, where there are holy warriors.
Overbeck
Many of the greatest and most important European works of art are painted on walls or ceilings. Explains secco, fresco, and how they influence the result.
Tasso’s narrative is as complex and interwoven as these six leading characters, from the pious Godfrey to the scheming sorceress Armida.
Twenty cantos summarised with the very best of their paintings by Delacroix, Teniers the Younger, Domenico Tintoretto, Poussin, Tiepolo, and others.
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.
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.
Armida has succeeded in causing havoc among the crusaders. As one disaster succeeds another, and with both Tancred and Rinaldo missing, Godfrey is forced to attack Jerusalem.
In the first skirmish outside Jerusalem, Tancred meets the beautiful Clorinda and almost kills her before declaring his love. Armida tries to beguile Godfrey with a tale of woe.
The crusaders start their march down the Mediterranean coast towards Jerusalem. Gabriel appears to Godfrey, and a young couple are saved from being burned at the stake by a ‘pagan’ woman knight.
For over 300 years, the most popular literary source for narrative paintings. This new series will cover the background and tell its story in great paintings.
