An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Erminia and the Shepherds1648–49
Artist: Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)
Italian (Bologna), 1591–1666
frame Spanish or Italian, c.1600
93 1/2 x 112 in. (237.5 x 284.5 cm)
Oil on canvas
Painting
Italy
17th century
The William Hood Dunwoody Fund
Once upon a time in the heart of Italy during the era of the Baroque, an artist named Guercino wielded his brush like a magician conjuring life from paint. His canvases were vibrant, lush, filled with dramatic scenes that seemed to whisper the secrets of the shadowy past. On a crisp winter morning, January 14, 1649, an important date was penned into his account book. It captured a moment of triumph, a handsome payment from a noteworthy Sicilian collector named Antonio Ruffo for a piece that had been born from Guercino’s masterful hands.
This artwork told a story steeped in history and romance, drawn from the pages of Torquato Tasso’s beloved epic poem "Jerusalem Delivered," crafted in the late 16th century. The setting was poignant: the First Crusade, where Christian knights laid siege to the holy city of Jerusalem, then under the governance of Muslim rule. Within this turbulent narrative, there stood a remarkable character—a Muslim princess named Erminia, adorned in armor, concealing her dignified roots.
In the painting, the viewer is transported to a serene forest glade, where nature breathes with life and color. Erminia, having fled the encroaching turmoil of Jerusalem, stumbles upon a humble shepherd and his sons, busy weaving baskets with the age-old crafts of their ancestors. Startled by the sudden appearance of a cloaked figure, the men halt their work, eyes wide with surprise. Yet, in a moment of courage and grace, Erminia lifts her helmet, letting her flowing hair frame her face, her warm gaze meant to calm their fears.
In this quiet exchange, as fear melts into understanding, the shepherd welcomes her into his humble abode, offering shelter and safety. It is a moment of peace amidst chaos—where kindness transcends boundaries, and humanity triumphs over conflict. Guercino captures not just a scene but the essence of connection, inviting the viewer to witness a fragile yet profound harmony that exists even in times of strife.
About the artist
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