Erminia and the Shepherds, 1648–49
Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)expand_more
Oil on canvasexpand_more
The William Hood Dunwoody Fundexpand_more 62.12
On View in Gallery 330expand_more
Guercino excelled at monumental, lushly colored Italian Baroque paintings. An entry in the artist’s account book on January 14, 1649, records a handsome payment from an important Sicilian collector, Antonio Ruffo, for this one.
The scene is from Torquato Tasso’s popular epic poem "Jerusalem Delivered" (1581). The story is set during the First Crusade (1096–99), when Christian warriors laid siege to Jerusalem, then under Muslim rule. Here, the Muslim princess Erminia, disguised in armor, has fled Jerusalem. Escaping to the forest, she comes upon a shepherd and his sons making baskets. They are startled, but she removes her helmet to calm their fears, and they give her shelter.
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Details
- Title
- Erminia and the Shepherds
- Artist Life
- (Bologna), 1591–1666
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 62.12
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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