The Fall of Troy and the Escape of Aeneas

Art Historical Context

This engraving from the mid-1540s vividly portrays the of Troy and Aeneas dramatic escape, drawing on myths of the Trojan. Created through the collaborative of engraver Giorgioisi, designer Giovanni Battista Scultori, publisher Antonio Lafreri the print measures about 15 by 19 and represents the second state five known versions. Its detailed lines capture warriors horses, and chaotic destruction highlighting the technical mastery of Renaissance printmaking. The work reflects the era’s deep interest in ancient stories, which were widely circulated through engravings to educate and inspire broader audiences beyond elite collectors. As a print rather than a painting, it allowed these epic narratives to travel across Europe, preserving and reinterpreting themes of heroism and loss for new generations. Today at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this piece exemplifies how Renaissance artists transformed literary legends into accessible visual art, blending historical storytelling with precise craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Giorgio Ghisi|Giovanni Battista Scultori|Antonio Lafreri · 1520–1582

Giorgio Ghisi (c. 1520–1582) was one of the most accomplished engravers of the Italian Renaissance, renowned for translating the monumental compositions of Raphael, Giulio Romano, and Michelangelo into the exacting medium of the burin. Born in Mantua, he trained in an environment shaped by the legacy of Giulio Romano's decoration of the Palazzo del Te, and the grandeur of that Mannerist tradition ...