A Pre-Gobelins Mythological tapestry from the series of Rinaldo and Armida, after designs by Simon Vouet, woven by the workshop of Alexander de Comans (active 1634-1654) 17th century, Paris

two soldiers in the center, one upholding a shield reflecting an image of the young Rinaldo on the ground to the left, a red cloth draped over the tree branches above and Cupid with his bow hiding behind the tree, within an elaborate and broad border incorporating strapwork cartouches centered by putti flanking ovals incorporating figures and with bunches of flowers, two weaver's marks on lower right side selvage, one of the Alexander de Comans (AC) and the other RVF.

RELATED LITERATURE
M. Fenaille, Etat Général des Tapisseries de la Manufacture des Gobelins..., Paris, 1923, vol. 1, pp. 319-328.

D. Lavalle, "Simon Vouet et la Tapisserie" in Vouet (exh. cat.), Paris, November 1990-February 1991, p. 500.

The present subject, Rinaldo seeing his image reflected in the diamond shield, is the fifth woven in the series of the story of the Christian knight Rinaldo and the sorceress Armida, all made after designs by the painter Simon Vouet.