Art Funded by you

Erminia and the Shepherd

Guercino, c. 1619–1620

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

The scene in this painting is taken from Tasso's epic poem Gerusalemme Liberata (1581), where the Saracen princess Erminia encounters the shepherd and his sons and they discuss the pleasure of rural pursuits as opposed to war. She has fled from the crusaders' camp in search of the wounded Tancred with whom she is in love. Pursued by a patrol of the Christian army, she seeks shelter in the remote countryside with the family of the shepherd. During the conversation, the princess is persuaded to discard her armour and follow a bucolic existence.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Erminia and the Shepherd, c. 1619–1620

Date supported

1962

Medium and material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

149 x 178 cm

Grant

2000

Total cost

7000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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