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The scene shown here is taken from an episode in the sixteenth-century epic poem Orlando Furioso, by Ludovico Ariosto. The Christian knight Ruggiero has discovered the pagan princess Angelica, who has been abducted by barbarians. Stripped and chained to a rock, she has been left as a sacrifice to a sea monster. Riding a hippogriff – a legendary half-horse, half-griffin beast that can both gallop and fly – Ruggiero saves Angelica by plunging his lance into the monster’s open jaws.

Ingres had previously painted a larger version of this story in 1819 for the Throne Room at the Palace of Versailles. In this smaller version, he emphasises the drama by reducing the seascape setting and placing the monster between Ruggiero and Angelica. He highlights the danger Angelica faces by contrasting her smooth, pale body with the hard armour and rocks and the sharp lance, griffin’s beak and talons, and the monster’s teeth.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Angelica saved by Ruggiero

Date

1819-39

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 47.6 x W 39.4 cm

Accession number

NG3292

Acquisition method

Bought, 1918

Work type

Painting

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

1780–1867

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