Death of Dido c. 17th century

This powerful charcoal drawing by Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens depicts the tragic death of Dido, the Queen of Carthage, from Virgil's *Aeneid*. Dido, betrayed by Aeneas, takes her own life by stabbing herself with a sword. Rubens's depiction of Dido's death is dramatic and expressive, capturing the raw emotion and pain of her final moments. The drawing's dynamic composition and expressive use of line create a sense of movement and energy, highlighting the tragedy of Dido's fate.