Nicolas Poussin immerses us here in the epic universe of “Jerusalem Delivered,” a poem by Tasso (1544-1595), with striking theatricality and dramatic tension.
The dynamic composition depicts the knights Charles and Ubaldo, represented in gleaming Roman armor, confronting a menacing dragon.
Poussin’s genius reveals itself in the striking contrast between the vivid colors of the tunics—deep blue and brilliant orange—and the stormy atmosphere of the troubled sky. The heroic poses of the warriors, frozen in a moment of bravery, testify to the painter’s exceptional mastery in rendering bodies in motion. The rocky background and luxuriant vegetation create a mysterious setting that reinforces the fantastical dimension of the scene, while the distant figure evokes the presence of the sorceress who holds Rinaldo captive.
Further Context
- “The Companions of Rinaldo,” by Nicolas Poussin, ca. 1633
- 46 1/2 x 40 1/4 in. (118.1 x 102.2 cm)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue, New York, exhibited in Gallery 623
- https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437327
Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) is considered the absolute master of 17th-century French classical painting. Settled in Rome from 1624, he developed a unique style that combines classical rigor with a profound knowledge of antiquity. His Roman intellectual circle, particularly his relationship with the erudite collector Cassiano dal Pozzo, nurtured his passion for archaeology and ancient history, which explains the deliberate anachronism of Roman armor in this medieval scene. His quest for the “grand manner” in painting, combining nobility of subject, learned composition, and measured expression of passions, makes him the very embodiment of the classical ideal.
