Erminia and the Shepherds
1750-1755 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil painting depicts a scene from Torquato Tasso's epic poem, Jerusalem Delivered, showing the princess Erminia encountering a family of shepherds. The work is attributed to the Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Guardi, sometimes in collaboration with his brother Francesco.
Did you know?
The scene illustrates a poignant moment from the 16th-century epic 'Jerusalem Delivered,' where the pagan princess Erminia, fleeing in disguise, encounters an elderly shepherd and his sons weaving baskets. The Guardi brothers were renowned for their atmospheric, airy touch, which perfectly captured the romantic and melancholic undertone of Erminia's search for sanctuary. This specific theme was popular in 18th-century Venice, reflecting the era's fascination with literary pastoralism and the blend of human emotion with idealized nature.
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Erminia and the Shepherds
Giovanni Antonio Guardi, 1750-1755
