Armide devant Godefroy de Bouillon
Tapestry from the Royal Aubusson Manufactory
Part of a hanging on the theme of The Delivered Jerusalem
Woven in wool and silk (warp in wool, weft in wool and silk)
Early 18th century, around 1700
Jerusalem Delivered is an epic poem by the 16th century Italian poet Tasso (1544 - 1595), published in Ferrara in 1575. The Delivered Jerusalem tells the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 by Godfrey of Bouillon during the first crusade. On the present tapestry, we see Armide kneeling before Godfrey of Bouillon (who became the first Christian king of Jerusalem). She asks Godfrey of Bouillon to provide her with an escort of guards to protect her from her enemies. She is a beautiful Moorish princess, but she is also a magician and she will bewitch the Christian knights. There is also a love story between Armide and one of the Christian knights, Renaud.
