For the first time in France, the ten monumental paintings by Italian artist Paolo Finoglio (1590-1645) inspired by Torquato Tasso’s poem about the First Crusade,Jerusalem Delivered, will be shown at the Palate of Fine Arts of Lille.

Finoglio was one of the great Neapolitan baroque painters influenced by Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light.

In this mature work commissioned for the family castle in 1634, Finoglio represents ten episodes of chivalry and romance from the poem to celebrate the power and virtues of his patron, the count of Conversano.

The entire cycle will be shown, exceptionally, in the very centre of the museum within a contemporary installation by artist, filmmaker and writer Alain Fleischer.

1                                 2

1  Paolo Domenico Finoglio Renaud et Armide dans le jardin enchanté ©Pinacoteca Paolo Domenico Finoglio, Conversano, Italie

2 Paolo Domenico Finoglio Armide tente de retenir Renaud ©Pinacoteca Paolo Domenico Finoglio, Conversano, Italie
 

From April 23 to July 12, 2010

Musée des Beaux Arts
LILLE