Aeneas Tells Dido the Misfortunes of the Trojan City 1815

"Aeneas Tells Dido the Misfortunes of the Trojan City" (1815) by Pierre-Narcisse Guerin depicts a scene from Virgil's Aeneid, where the Trojan hero Aeneas recounts the fall of Troy to Queen Dido of Carthage. The painting, currently housed in the Louvre, presents a dramatic narrative through its characters: Aeneas, Dido, and Cupid, the Roman god of love, who appears to be trying to console Dido. The composition emphasizes the emotional weight of the story, with a melancholic tone and a sense of anticipation. This Neoclassical painting highlights the artistry of Guerin, who was celebrated for his historical and mythological subjects.