Anthony Van Dyck's painting: "Rinbaldo and Armida"

Inspired by the sensuous words of contemporary literature in the 16th century, Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641) produced an inspiring and powerful painting that illustrates the wonderful epic of Rinaldo and Armida. Based on Torquato Tasso's Gerusalemme Libertata, Van Dyck has managed to capture vividly not the primary theme of war in the story, but the account of two characters and their love for one another. Rinaldo and Armida is a rich and vibrant interpretation of …

…hidden symbolic elements as well as Armida's expression to guide the viewer to easily interpret Van Dyck's intention of conveying the two lovers. The painting sparks the senses by capturing the mood and poetic atmosphere of the scene. Anthony Van Dyck has indeed successfully captured the essence of the feeling of love on a flat surface that has been so adequately transformed into a moment of intimate and sacrosanct scene that triggers every viewer's emotions.