Rinaldo and Armida

Fragonard employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated forms with deep shadows to give the scene a three‑dimensional quality and heightened emotional tension. The brushwork remains characteristic of his late Rococo period, with fluid lines that convey movement in the drapery and the delicate gestures of the cherubs.

Created in the late 1770s, the painting entered the holdings of the National Gallery of Armenia, where it remains on display. Documentation of its early ownership is sparse, but its presence in the Armenian collection reflects the broader 19th‑century interest in French Rococo works among Eastern European institutions.

The subject derives from Torquato Tasso’s epic poem Jerusalem Delivered, a popular source for 18th‑century visual art. Fragonard’s choice aligns with contemporary tastes for literary subjects rendered with theatrical flair, while the inclusion of cherubs adds a mythic layer typical of the period’s decorative sensibility.