Rinaldo and the Magus of Ascalon

Rinaldo and the Magus of Ascalon is a grand oil on canvas painting created by the celebrated Italian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo between 1742 and 1745. This monumental piece exemplifies the dynamic qualities of the late Baroque period in Italy, showcasing the artist's signature mastery of dramatic composition, sweeping gestures, and vibrant color palettes. The subject is drawn from Torquato Tasso’s epic poem, Gerusalemme Liberata, a major source of inspiration for 18th-century art, depicting the moment the Christian knight Rinaldo confronts the wise Magus of Ascalon.

Tiepolo was globally renowned for his skillful execution, particularly in large-scale canvases and frescoes intended for palaces and churches. In this painting, he employs a lighter, more ethereal quality of light compared to the intense shadows favored by earlier Baroque artists, lending the composition an air of theatrical splendor. The artist masterfully orchestrates the confrontation, utilizing soaring architectural elements, voluminous drapery, and the expressive poses of the figures to heighten the narrative tension inherent in the mythological scene. The brilliance of the pigment remains striking, revealing the sophisticated layering and swift brushwork that defined Tiepolo’s unique technique.

This significant work is a key document of 18th-century Italian painting and resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As one of the most widely recognized Baroque representations of Tasso’s hero, the visual drama and technical skill displayed in the canvas cement its importance in art history. Masterworks such as this, produced by celebrated artists like Tiepolo, eventually enter the public domain, allowing institutions to make high-quality prints and documentation widely available for academic study and appreciation globally.