Aeneas's Farewell to Dido 1618 - 1682

"Aeneas's Farewell to Dido" is a drawing on paper by Jean Le Pautre from 1618-1682, currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It depicts a scene from Virgil's Aeneid where the Trojan hero Aeneas bids farewell to the Queen of Carthage, Dido, before setting sail for Italy. Le Pautre's detailed penmanship creates a sense of drama and pathos in the scene, emphasizing the emotional weight of this parting. The work is a testament to Le Pautre’s skill as a draughtsman and his mastery of Classical mythology.