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Orlando Furioso

Art Appreciation

This intense black-and-white engraving is a masterful illustration bursting with emotion and narrative depth. The central scene captures a dramatic, almost theatrical moment: a woman clings desperately to a man, her body draped over his as if seeking to halt his departure or express profound despair. The man, robed and crowned with a wreath, appears conflicted—his hand raised to his head in a gesture of anguish or contemplation. Behind them, a vigilant figure with a sword and crown stands, adding a layer of tension and authority to the composition. The intricate patterns of the heavy drapery and the richly textured tapestry wall behind amplify the sense of opulence and confinement.

Executed with exquisite line work and delicate cross-hatching, the artist creates a chiaroscuro effect that deepens the emotional weight of the scene. The contrast between the soft flowing fabric and the hard, firm architectural elements grounds the composition, while the two cherubic figures at the foreground lend a poignant innocence amidst the tension. This engraving exemplifies the 19th-century Romantic fascination with heightened emotion, medieval and Renaissance themes, and moral conflict—drawing the observer into a moment thick with passion, despair, and power struggles.

Orlando Furioso

Gustave Doré

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Date unknown

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958 × 1210 px

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