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Dido receiving Aeneas and Cupid disguised as Ascanius

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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The Aeneid, an epic poem by the Roman writer Virgil, tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero and son of the goddess Venus. In Book I, Aeneas comes to the city of Carthage. Worried for his safety, Venus devises a plot to protect him: she sends Cupid to the city disguised as Aeneas' son Ascanius, to make Dido, Queen of Carthage, fall in love with the hero. Solimena’s monumental picture shows the disguised Cupid approaching Dido – only we can see the wings and arrows that identify him. Aeneas, wearing a green leather breastplate, holds out a hand to greet the queen. She appears to be interested only in Cupid, ignoring the precious gifts being offered to her. Bright light illuminates the sumptuous draperies and gleaming armour of the foreground figures, as well as Cupid’s chubby body; other attendants look on from the shadows.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Dido receiving Aeneas and Cupid disguised as Ascanius

Date

probably 1720s

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 207.2 x W 310.2 cm

Accession number

NG6397

Acquisition method

Bought, 1971

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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