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Michele Rocca - Rinaldo and Armida - Walters 37879
Summary
As described in Jerusalem Delivered, an epic poem by Torquato Tasso (1544-1595) set during the first crusade, the Christian knight Rinaldo has been drawn into the enchanted garden of the sorceress Armida. The mischievous cupid at center holding the hero's helmet calls attention to Rinaldo's transformation from warrior to forlorn lover. Two of Rinaldo's comrades are spying on the couple. They will later persuade Rinaldo to return to battle.
Characteristic of Rocca's paintings are the fluid brushwork, flickering lights, and luminescent colors, as can be seen in this study for a larger composition. The lightness, wit, and eroticism are all features that link Rocca to the French rococo.
Michele Rocca was an Italian painter who was born in Naples in 1671. He was a pupil of Francesco Solimena and became a prominent painter in his own right, known for his religious and mythological paintings. Rocca's style was characterised by his use of bright colours and dramatic lighting, which gave his works a sense of theatricality. One of Rocca's most famous works is his painting of the Madonna and Child with Saints Francis and Anthony of Padua, which is in the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Naples. This painting shows Rocca's skill in capturing the expressions and emotions of his subjects, as well as his ability to create a sense of depth and space within the composition. Rocca was also known for his frescoes, including those for the church of San Giovanni Battista in Naples. These frescoes depict scenes from the life of St John the Baptist and show Rocca's talent for creating dynamic compositions that draw the viewer into the narrative. Michele Rocca died in Naples in 1751, leaving a legacy as one of Italy's leading Baroque painters.
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