Hercules and Rinaldo: Annibale Carracci?s Invenzione of Tasso?s Epic Hero

This paper deals with Annibale Carracci?s portrayal of Rinaldo, Tasso?s epic hero, in his rendition of the scene in which Rinaldo is subjugated to Armida?s love in her enchanted palace. In discussing Annibale?s depiction, I follow the use of the myth of Hercules and Omphale (Iole) in Renaissance literature, as well as the painter?s depiction of Hercules and Iole on the ceiling of the Farnese Gallery, where the artist deliberately changed Hercules? traditional attribute, thus preparing the ground for the first interpretation of an effeminate Rinaldo in the visual arts.