Astolfo Sails off with Andronica and Sofrosina

Museum record 202341: Astolfo Sails off with Andronica and Sofrosina by Jean-Honore Fragonard. A verified entry point for discovery.

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This is one of Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s 179 drawings illustrating scenes from Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem Orlando furioso (The Frenzy of Orlando), first published in 1532. The English knight Astolfo, in armor at left in the ship’s bow, has left the island of the enchantress Alcina. In this scene, he sails home escorted by Andronica and Sofrosina, who represent the virtues of Fortitude and Temperance. Sofrosina waves her wand, directing the wind, while the angelic putti at the ship’s stern advance it with…