Terms and conditions of use
Beautiful Dido receives Aeneas at Carthage, bowl
(c. 1522-1525)
Medium
earthenware (maiolica)
Measurements
5.1 × 25.9 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1976
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
Subjects inspired by Classical literature found new favour in the Renaissance. This bowl is decorated with scenes from the tale of Dido and Aeneas from Book 4 of Virgil’s Aeneid. The Trojan prince Aeneas, fleeing the destruction of Troy, arrives in Carthage, North Africa, and begins a passionate affair with the city’s queen, Dido. However, reminded of his destiny to travel to Italy, where he will found Rome, Aeneas abandons Dido, who commits suicide in despair. Although many works of art emphasised the positive aspects of love, imagery relating sombre, even tragic, tales to warn couples against folly was also common.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Urbino, Italy
Inscription
painted in blue on inside of rim l.r.: ˄ F ˄ R ˄
Accession Number
D4-1976
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
Wide flat rim painted with Dido and attendant receiving Aeneas, foreground fallen broken column and tablet.