Dish (coppa): The story of Aeneas: Queen Dido of Carthage welcomes Aeneas and his son. 1517 - 1523

This 16th-century maiolica dish, attributed to the workshop of Giovanni Maria Vasaro, depicts a scene from Virgil's Aeneid. The central image shows Queen Dido of Carthage welcoming Aeneas and his son Ascanius to her city. The dish is decorated in the characteristic "istoriato" style, which uses a narrative scene as a central motif. The intricate borders are filled with grotesque figures and swirling foliage, reflecting the vibrant, decorative aesthetic of Renaissance Italy. This piece exemplifies the artistry of Italian ceramics during this period, where mythological themes and classical literature were often depicted on everyday objects.