Rinaldo and the Magus of Ascalon
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo·c. 1742–45
Historical Context
Rinaldo and the Magus of Ascalon, painted around 1742-45 and now at the Art Institute of Chicago, illustrates an episode from Tasso's epic poem Gerusalemme Liberata — the crusader knight Rinaldo guided by a wise magus. Tiepolo was the supreme interpreter of Tasso's romantic epic, painting multiple cycles of Rinaldo and Armida subjects throughout his career. The painting demonstrates his luminous palette and dynamic composition, with figures set in a landscape that combines real observation with theatrical staging. As the last great painter of the Venetian tradition, Tiepolo brought the decorative brilliance of Veronese into the eighteenth century, creating art of extraordinary visual splendor and narrative energy.
Technical Analysis
The painting demonstrates Tiepolo's mastery of atmospheric light, with the Magus's wisdom suggested through radiant illumination. Fluid, confident brushwork captures drapery and gesture with characteristic Venetian bravura.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the radiant illumination suggesting the Magus's wisdom as he guides the crusader knight Rinaldo — Tiepolo's mastery of atmospheric light transforms the literary episode from Tasso's Gerusalemme Liberata.
- ◆Look at the fluid, confident brushwork capturing drapery and gesture with characteristic Venetian bravura.
- ◆Observe the theatrical staging of this episode, with figures arranged like actors in a dramatic narrative of enchantment and duty.
Provenance
Possibly one of four scenes from Tasso made for the 'gabinetto degli specchi' of the Palazzo Corner a San Polo, Venice [according to inventories and other documents discussed by Romanelli 1998]. Count Giovanni Serbelloni, Venice in 1838; by descent, until possibly 1886 [Molmenti 1911 and Knox 1978]. Giulio Cartier, Genoa by 1908 [Malaquzzi Valeri 1908]; Sedelmeyer Gallery, Paris, in 1912 [Ojetti 1912]; James Deering (d. 1925), Vizcaya, from 1913 [information sheet in curatorial file]; bequeathed, 1925.
