Rinaldo, Astride Baiardo, Flies Off in Pursuit of Angelica

Jean-Honoré Fragonard

National Gallery of Art

This is a monochrome drawing of a flying figure on a horse over a landscape. The top left shows a celestial or mythological figure gesturing energetically downwards. Below, a mounted rider on a rearing horse charges through the air. The landscape consists of rough, jagged forms suggestive of rocky terrain or mountains, with swirling foliage or clouds around the horse and rider. The composition conveys movement and drama, emphasized by light and shadow contrasts.