TACCA, Ferdinando
(b. 1619, Firenze, d. 1686, Firenze)

Bireno and Olimpia

1640s
Bronze, traces of red-gold lacquer, 38 x 40 cm
Art Institute, Chicago

The subject is taken from Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. Olimpia, a princess of Holland, had been deserted by her lover, Bireno, during the night. Finding him gone, she ran to the shore, saw that his ship had sailed, and returned to throw herself on the bed.