GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This scene is drawn from Jerusalem Delivered (1581), an epic poem about the Crusades written by the Italian Renaissance author Torquato Tasso. In one of the poem’s romantic subplots, Tasso recounts the tale of the Muslim princess Erminia, who journeys to find the knight she loves. Here Guillaume Lethière depicts the moment when Erminia approaches the home of an old shepherd and his family. Initially frightened by the armored warrior, the group is astonished when Erminia removes her helmet and reveals her youth and beauty.
Lethière was born in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a Caucasian government official and an emancipated slave. At the age of fourteen, he was brought to France by his father to begin his artistic studies. He excelled and went on to have a successful career as a Neoclassical painter and teacher, leading the French Academy in Rome and, in 1818, receiving the French Legion of Honor.
Excerpt from
Nicole Myers, DMA label copy, 2017.
NOTES
Created in 1795
worked in paris and rome
This scene is drawn from Jerusalem Delivered (1581), an epic poem about the Crusades by Torquato Tasso. Tasso recounts the flight and disguise of the Muslim princess Erminia, who has fallen in love with the Christian knight Tancred. Guillaume Guillon Lethière depicts the moment when Erminia approaches the home of an old shepherd and his family. Frightened at first by the armored warrior, the shepherd wraps his arm around one of his sons. The painting captures the family’s reactions of admiration and astonishment when Erminia removes her helmet, revealing that she is actually a beautiful young woman.
Guillon Lethière was an artist of mixed race, born in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a royal offi cial and an emancipated slave. At the age of fourteen, he was brought to France by his father to begin his artistic studies. He excelled and continued on to a successful career as a painter and teacher, leading the French Academy in Rome and in 1818 receiving the French Legion of Honor.
Excerpt from
Hannah Fullgraf, DMA label copy, 2013.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Lethiére, Guillaume (French, 1760-1832)
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
13310618: UMO New Acquisitions in European Art
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Project Gutenberg~Read the epic poem Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso which was the inspiration for Lethiére's painting Erminia and the Shepherds.
- The Morgan Library and Museum, New York~View a portrait of Guillaume Lethiére by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.
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General Description
This scene is drawn from Jerusalem Delivered (1581), an epic poem about the Crusades written by the Italian Renaissance author Torquato Tasso. In one of the poem’s romantic subplots, Tasso recounts the tale of the Muslim princess Erminia, who journeys to find the knight she loves. Here Guillaume Lethière depicts the moment when Erminia approaches the home of an old shepherd and his family. Initially frightened by the armored warrior, the group is astonished when Erminia removes her helmet and reveals her youth and beauty.
Lethière was born in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a Caucasian government official and an emancipated slave. At the age of fourteen, he was brought to France by his father to begin his artistic studies. He excelled and went on to have a successful career as a Neoclassical painter and teacher, leading the French Academy in Rome and, in 1818, receiving the French Legion of Honor.
Excerpt from
Nicole Myers, DMA label copy, 2017.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Project Gutenberg~Read the epic poem Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso which was the inspiration for Lethiére's painting Erminia and the Shepherds.
- The Morgan Library and Museum, New York~View a portrait of Guillaume Lethiére by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.
Notes
Created in 1795
worked in paris and rome
This scene is drawn from Jerusalem Delivered (1581), an epic poem about the Crusades by Torquato Tasso. Tasso recounts the flight and disguise of the Muslim princess Erminia, who has fallen in love with the Christian knight Tancred. Guillaume Guillon Lethière depicts the moment when Erminia approaches the home of an old shepherd and his family. Frightened at first by the armored warrior, the shepherd wraps his arm around one of his sons. The painting captures the family’s reactions of admiration and astonishment when Erminia removes her helmet, revealing that she is actually a beautiful young woman.
Guillon Lethière was an artist of mixed race, born in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a royal offi cial and an emancipated slave. At the age of fourteen, he was brought to France by his father to begin his artistic studies. He excelled and continued on to a successful career as a painter and teacher, leading the French Academy in Rome and in 1818 receiving the French Legion of Honor.
Excerpt from
Hannah Fullgraf, DMA label copy, 2013.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Lethiére, Guillaume (French, 1760-1832)
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
13310618: UMO New Acquisitions in European Art
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
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