Ruggiero freeing Angelica 1585 - 1644

Giovanni Biliverti rendered this drawing, Ruggiero freeing Angelica, with pen and grey and brown wash on paper. Here, we witness a scene brimming with symbolic weight, drawn from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. Angelica, the damsel in distress, awaits rescue, while Ruggiero rushes to her aid. This motif of rescue and deliverance permeates our collective unconscious, echoing in countless myths and tales across cultures. Consider Perseus freeing Andromeda or Saint George rescuing the princess; these narratives resonate deeply, tapping into primal desires for heroism and salvation. Notice Angelica's pose, reminiscent of Venus Pudica, a gesture of modesty. This juxtaposition of vulnerability and veiled allure invites psychological readings, revealing a complex interplay of power and desire. The cyclical nature of these images captivates me. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, forever entwined with our shared human experience.