Dido Abandoned, after antiquity? c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have "Dido Abandoned, after antiquity?", crafted by the Pichler family. It's quite small, almost like a poignant little coin. Editor: My first impression is starkness. The composition is so simple, and the white-on-white relief just amplifies the feeling of emptiness. Curator: Absolutely. The medium itself seems to mirror Dido's desolation. The relief is so delicate, it's as if the figures might simply fade away. Editor: And the Cupid figure, seemingly weeping, mirrors her sorrow. I can't help but feel a sense of classical tragedy distilled into this tiny token. Curator: Exactly! It's as if they are inviting you to feel the weight of love lost. Editor: I concur. Sometimes the smallest artworks speak the loudest. Curator: Indeed, this piece lingers in the mind. Editor: A testament to the power of suggestion, wouldn't you say?