Dido Contemplating the Portrait of Aeneas MAG(9s)
Identify the Artist XV
Starting Sunday, February 14th, 2021 at 8:00 pm East Coast USA
Week 5 Greek & Roman Mythology (1171 – 1175) 02/14 - 02/19/2021
For Prizes of the Game, see: flic.kr/p/2k9pUxH
For Rules of the Game, see: flic.kr/p/2k8VkAb
Above:
Unknown Dutch or Flemish Artist
Dido Contemplating the Portrait of Aeneas, mid-1600s
Oil on panel
This painting of a woman, with her gaze of longing, her dejected posture and her robes in disarray, illustrates a single moment from Virgil’s Aeneid. The literary epic, one of the most powerful in ancient Roman mythology, relates the legend of the Trojan War here Aeneas and Dido, queen of the city of Carthage. Dido fell in love with Aeneas, who escaped the fall of Troy with the help of his mother, the goddess Venus. In their happiness together, Aeneas nearly forgot his foretold destiny: to found a great new city and usher in a new race of heroes. When the gods reminded him of his duty, Aeneas left Dido and Carthage behind. In fury and despair at his leaving, Dido committed suicide with Aeneas’ own sword after cursing their cities to mutual animosity.
This single image both illustrates an ancient legend and speaks to the timelessness of romantic love. Queen Dido of Carthage, abandoned by Aeneas, spent a sleepless night gazing at his image and planning her own death. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, a painting of a woman in the guise of the wronged Dido, charged with emotion and melodrama, could serve simultaneously as the portrait of a lover betrayed.
Gift of Mr. Rex Wood 75.117
From the Placard: Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York
Dido Contemplating the Portrait of Aeneas MAG(9s)
Identify the Artist XV
Starting Sunday, February 14th, 2021 at 8:00 pm East Coast USA
Week 5 Greek & Roman Mythology (1171 – 1175) 02/14 - 02/19/2021
For Prizes of the Game, see: flic.kr/p/2k9pUxH
For Rules of the Game, see: flic.kr/p/2k8VkAb
Above:
Unknown Dutch or Flemish Artist
Dido Contemplating the Portrait of Aeneas, mid-1600s
Oil on panel
This painting of a woman, with her gaze of longing, her dejected posture and her robes in disarray, illustrates a single moment from Virgil’s Aeneid. The literary epic, one of the most powerful in ancient Roman mythology, relates the legend of the Trojan War here Aeneas and Dido, queen of the city of Carthage. Dido fell in love with Aeneas, who escaped the fall of Troy with the help of his mother, the goddess Venus. In their happiness together, Aeneas nearly forgot his foretold destiny: to found a great new city and usher in a new race of heroes. When the gods reminded him of his duty, Aeneas left Dido and Carthage behind. In fury and despair at his leaving, Dido committed suicide with Aeneas’ own sword after cursing their cities to mutual animosity.
This single image both illustrates an ancient legend and speaks to the timelessness of romantic love. Queen Dido of Carthage, abandoned by Aeneas, spent a sleepless night gazing at his image and planning her own death. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, a painting of a woman in the guise of the wronged Dido, charged with emotion and melodrama, could serve simultaneously as the portrait of a lover betrayed.
Gift of Mr. Rex Wood 75.117
From the Placard: Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, New York