Hall of Erminia

Jerusalem Delivered: the events of Erminia

Erminia Hall: Vanfrino enters the tent where Erminia is imprisoned (1628) by Alessandro TiariniPalazzo Ducale del Giardino

The theme of the hall

As for the Hall of Alcina and the Hall of the Kiss, also in the Hall of Erminia the scenes depicted are inspired by the literary tradition, specifically by the Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso. The decorative apparatus is the result of the work of Alessandro Tiarini - a painter from Bologna.

Despite the problems arising from conservation, the narration is not lost by noticing the continuity of attitudes and gazes between the figure of the right and the set of figures on the left.

The frescoes at the base of the cycle follow a motif with figures and shields also present under the fresco depicting Erminia.

Erminia Hall: The ride of Erminia Towards Jerusalem with the knights who carry dying Tancredi (Seconda metà del XVI sec. - Seconda metà del XVII sec.) by Alessandro TiariniPalazzo Ducale del Giardino

The events of Erminia

Although several parts of the Hall were painted white, two different scenes can still be recognized: Herminia riding to Jerusalem with the knights carrying wounded and dying Tancred and Vafrino - Tancred's squire - who enters the tent in which Erminia is held as a prisoner.

The figures on the left have partly lost their colors and the rendering of details due to deterioration.

Unlike Erminia's face, better preserved and where the detail of the drape that gathers her hair can also be noticed.

Erminia Hall: The ride of Erminia Towards Jerusalem with the knights who carry dying Tancredi (Seconda metà del XVI sec. - Seconda metà del XVII sec.) by Alessandro TiariniPalazzo Ducale del Giardino

Erminia: symbol of unrequited love

The protagonist of the Hall, as well as of the poem, is Erminia - daughter of the king of Antioch - first taken prisoner by Tancred and then freed, a symbol of the unrequited love she feels for Tancred.

Erminia Hall: Vafrino in the tent of Erminia (Seconda metà del XVI sec. - Seconda metà del XVII sec.) by Alessandro TiariniPalazzo Ducale del Giardino

The tent of Erminia

The scenes depicted by Tiarini show a large number of characters and a general excitement that is, however, lightened by the choice of colors.

Among the three characters crammed to the left - condensed to the edge of the wall - the behavior of the figure on the right seems to be a consequence of the decisions made by Erminia inside the tent.

At the top, however, perhaps Erminia who in this case takes a look that could reveal different attitudes such as reflection, indecision. Perhaps a consequence of the presence of Vafrino.

Erminia Hall (Seconda metà del XVI sec. - Seconda metà del XVII sec.) by Alessandro TiariniPalazzo Ducale del Giardino

In the small fresco two figures on horseback can be seen as they move away from a camp or from Erminia's tent, the whole room being a continuous narration.

A city immersed in an imaginary place halfway between the Mediterranean and the exotic can also be made out in the distance.

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