3-085-117 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Rinaldo and Armida in the Magic Forest, 1730-1738. Armida, an ally of the Saracens, has fallen desperately in love with the heroic crusader Rinaldo. She has bewitched him and abducted him to her enchanted island. Freed from the allure by his companions, Rinaldo now wants to break the next spell. He enters an enchanted forest over which Armida has cast a spell, and she once again attempts to seduce him. As the raised shield and brandished sword indicate, this time Rinaldo remains steadfast, He breaks the magic spell she has cast over the forest and thus provides the army of crusaders with wood as material for their conquest of Jerusalem.