Aeneas and his family fleeing Troy 1595

Agostino Carracci’s "Aeneas and his family fleeing Troy" is a dramatic black and white engraving depicting the Trojan hero, Aeneas, carrying his father, Anchises, and leading his son, Ascanius, away from the burning city of Troy. The scene is set in a grand architectural space, highlighting the chaos of the escape with the smoke from the fire billowing in the background. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique employing strong contrasts between light and dark, adds to the visual impact of the engraving, emphasizing the dramatic moment in the Aeneid. The image is a testament to Carracci’s ability to capture the pathos and tension of classical literature in his art.