Dido on the Funeral Pyre 1650 - 1700

This etching by Italian artist Giuseppe Diamantini, created between 1650 and 1700, depicts the tragic death of Queen Dido of Carthage. Known as "Dido on the Funeral Pyre," the artwork portrays Dido on a pyre, surrounded by angels, as she prepares to commit suicide after the betrayal of Aeneas. The composition emphasizes the emotional weight of the scene with dramatic gestures and swirling drapery. This etching is a powerful example of Baroque art's tendency toward emotional intensity and dramatic expression. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this piece, measuring 10 7/16 x 7 5/8 inches.