Aeneas vlucht met zijn familie uit Troje

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 240

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Agostino Carracci captures a pivotal moment from Virgil’s *Aeneid*: the Trojan hero Aeneas carrying his aged father Anchises from the burning city, accompanied by his young son Ascanius. Created in 1595, the work reflects the late-Renaissance interest in classical literature and heroic virtue. Carracci, a leading figure of the Bolognese School alongside his brother Annibale, sought to revive the balanced ideals of Renaissance masters while introducing greater naturalism and emotional clarity to his figures. As an engraving measuring roughly 40 by 53 centimeters, the print would have allowed this dramatic composition to circulate widely among collectors and artists across Europe. The medium’s fine line work enabled Carracci to convey both the chaos of the fleeing crowd and the tenderness of familial duty, demonstrating his skill as both draftsman and printmaker. Such reproductive engravings played a vital role in shaping artistic taste at the turn of the seventeenth century. Today the sheet remains a compelling example of how Renaissance artists used classical stories to explore timeless themes of duty, sacrifice, and renewal.

About the Artist

Agostino Carracci · 1557–1602

Agostino left his profession as a tailor to become an artist. His earliest works were engravings, which was an extremely profitable practice and he was famed for having attained new heights of perfection. He was also a skilled painter and collaborated with his famous relations on various commisions. Comment on works: Religious; Portraits.