Artwork
Carlos y Ubaldo en las islas Afortunadas
Carlos y Ubaldo en las islas Afortunadas is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist David Teniers the Younger. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
This work depicts a complex narrative scene set within a lush landscape, featuring several figures, including the titular characters.
David Teniers the Younger completed Carlos y Ubaldo en las islas Afortunadas, an oil painting, in 1628. This work depicts a complex narrative scene set within a lush landscape, featuring several figures, including the titular characters. The painting is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado, where it is preserved as an example of early 17th-century Flemish art. Its detailed composition combines elements of realism with fantastical undertones.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a scene likely drawn from epic poetry, with its title referencing "Carlos and Ubaldo in the Fortunate Isles." This suggests an episode from Torquato Tasso's Gerusalemme Liberata, where the knights Carlo and Ubaldo journey to rescue Rinaldo from the sorceress Armida's enchanted garden. The composition features a woman in a red dress, possibly Armida, alongside a man in armor and other figures, including two nudes, all within an idyllic yet potentially deceptive landscape.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the artwork demonstrates Teniers the Younger's command of detail and atmospheric effects. The artist combines realistic rendering of figures and objects, such as the set table and the armored man, with fantastical elements like the nude figures in the background. Through careful application of color and manipulation of light, Teniers creates a sense of depth and texture across the landscape, enhancing the dramatic and alluring quality of the enchanted setting.
History & Provenance
Created in 1628, Carlos y Ubaldo en las islas Afortunadas has been part of the esteemed collection of the Museo del Prado. Its presence in such a prominent institution underscores its historical and artistic significance. The painting represents an early work by David Teniers the Younger, a prolific artist whose career spanned much of the 17th century, contributing significantly to Flemish Baroque painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
David Teniers the Younger or David Teniers II was a Flemish Baroque painter, printmaker, and artist.
