Aeneas vlucht met zijn familie uit Troje 1655

Cornelis Visscher etched this image of Aeneas fleeing Troy in the mid-17th century. It is dominated by the figure of Aeneas carrying his elderly father, Anchises, on his shoulders, while his son, Ascanius, follows close behind. This iconic scene encapsulates the profound themes of filial piety and familial duty. The motif of carrying one's father appears across cultures, symbolizing not only physical burden but also the weight of tradition and legacy. We see echoes of this in ancient Egyptian art, where pharaohs are depicted carrying gods, reinforcing their divine burden of rule. The image is a poignant representation of the cyclical nature of history, of civilizations rising and falling, and the imperative to preserve one's heritage amidst chaos. This primal scene, charged with emotional intensity, taps into our collective unconscious, reminding us of the enduring human struggle to safeguard our past while venturing into an uncertain future.