Rinaldo Persuaded by Ubaldo and Guelfo to Abandon Armida (mid-18th–late 18th century)

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo's artwork "Rinaldo Persuaded by Ubaldo and Guelfo to Abandon Armida" transports viewers to a pivotal moment from Torquato Tasso’s epic poem “Jerusalem Delivered.” This pen and ink sketch captures the emotional and dynamic interaction of its characters, Rinaldo, Ubaldo, and Guelfo, set in an evocative landscape setting suggestive of the legendary tale’s backdrop.In the painting, the central figure, Rinaldo, appears torn and distressed, engaging deeply with Ubaldo, who gestures emphatically, presumably making his case for Rinaldo to leave the enchantress Armida. Guelfo stands to the side, depicted with a fervent expression and supportive posture, enhancing the scene's persuasive intensity. The loose and expressive style of Tiepolo’s lines add a sense of urgency and motion to the sketch, suggesting the weightiness of the moment being depicted.The use of monochrome brown wash lends a timeless quality to the work, focusing the viewer’s attention on the interaction between the figures rather than the details of their surroundings. Nevertheless, the subtle hints of a distant landscape and scattered armor ground the scene in its chivalric context, reflecting the turmoil and conflict intrinsically linked to the knightly quests and moral dilemmas explored in Tasso’s poem.