Creusa Carrying the Gods of Troy c. 1635

Simon Vouet created this drawing, "Creusa Carrying the Gods of Troy," using black and white chalk on blue paper. Vouet lived through a time of religious and political conflict in Europe and often depicted classical and religious scenes. Here, we see Creusa, a figure from Virgil’s Aeneid, carrying the sacred objects out of Troy as it falls. Note the subtle details: the concern etched on her face and the offering of assistance from divine hands above. The drawing captures a moment of vulnerability but also of resilience. As a woman, Creusa’s role is often overlooked in the grand narratives of war, yet here, she is the one preserving cultural heritage. What does it mean to safeguard culture in times of upheaval? How does gender shape our understanding of duty and heroism? In this drawing, Vouet invites us to reflect on these questions.