Aeneas en Dido schuilen in een grot 1700 - 1704

Mattheus Terwesten created this drawing of Aeneas and Dido seeking shelter in a cave with pen in brown ink and brush in gray, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. Notice how the composition is structured around the central figures of Aeneas and Dido, framed by the dramatic, cavernous space. Terwesten uses a limited palette, relying on tonal variations of brown and gray to create depth and texture. The cavern walls are rendered with loose, gestural strokes, contrasting with the more defined contours of the figures. This contrast highlights the tension between the natural, untamed setting and the human drama unfolding within it. The figures themselves are posed in a way that emphasizes their emotional connection, yet they are also somewhat detached from their surroundings, existing in a liminal space between safety and vulnerability. The loose, flowing lines and the subtle washes of color evoke a sense of movement and instability, mirroring the tumultuous events of the Aeneid. The formal qualities of this drawing thus serve to underscore its narrative themes, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of love, fate, and the human condition.