Who painted Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica?

Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica was painted by Jean Honoré Fragonard in 1795.

Where can I see Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica?

Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica?

Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica?

Museum-quality prints of Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica

Jean Honoré Fragonard , 1795

Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Jean Honoré Fragonard. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jean‑Honoré Fragonard’s drawing, dated around 1795, captures a dramatic moment from the epic poem where the knight Rinaldo, mounted on his horse Baiardo, launches into the air in pursuit of Angelica. Executed on laid paper, the work combines black chalk, brown wash, and fine pen‑ink accents to convey a sense of kinetic energy.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates the legendary chase: Rinaldo, dressed in a long coat and hat, leans forward with a sword raised, while his horse rears, its limbs extended and head turned. The scene conveys the urgency and romantic fervor of the knight’s quest, a popular narrative in 18th‑century literary and artistic circles.

Technique & Style

Fragonard employs a layered approach: broad strokes of black chalk establish form, brown wash adds tonal depth, and precise pen and brown‑ink lines render details such as the rider’s attire and the horse’s musculature. The loose, gestural handling creates a vivid impression of motion against a faintly suggested landscape.

History & Provenance

Created near the end of Fragonard’s career, the drawing reflects his continued interest in literary subjects after the Rococo period. It remains catalogued as a work on paper, with its provenance traced through French collections, though specific ownership records prior to the 20th century are limited.

Context

The image draws on the chivalric episode from Ludovico Ariosto’s "Orlando Furioso," a source frequently revisited by French artists of the era. Fragonard’s treatment aligns with the period’s fascination with dynamic, narrative-driven sketches that could serve as studies for larger compositions or as independent artworks.