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Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter

Carl Gustaf Pilo

Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter, by Carl Gustaf Pilo, unspecified
Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter, by Carl Gustaf Pilo, unspecified

Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter is an unspecified painting by the Neoclassicist artist Carl Gustaf Pilo. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the mythological confrontation between Venus and Aeneas against Helen of Troy, who seeks refuge at Cybele's altar.

The painting depicts the mythological confrontation between Venus and Aeneas against Helen of Troy, who seeks refuge at Cybele's altar. Venus, enraged by Aeneas's actions, pursues Helen with a threatening gesture, while Aeneas intervenes to protect her. Helen's supplication at Cybele's altar underscores the divine protection invoked amid mortal conflict.

The scene evokes the aftermath of the Trojan War, drawing on Virgil's Aeneid. Cybele's presence symbolizes maternal protection and the power of divine sanctuary, contrasting with Venus's wrath. The composition centers on Helen's plea for asylum, framed by the opposing forces of vengeance and refuge.

History & Provenance

Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter was created by Carl Gustaf Pilo in 1798. The work is classified as a mythological painting and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it depicts Venus, Aeneas, Helen of Troy, and Cybele. Its physical dimensions are recorded as 480 cm in height and 623 cm in width.

The available sources do not provide details regarding the circumstances of its commission, the original patron, intermediate owners, a specific accession number, or any exhibition history.

Overview

Created in 1798 by Carl Gustaf Pilo, a Swedish artist who spent much of his career in Denmark, this oil painting presents a nocturnal tableau drawn from classical mythology. The composition centers on three female figures arranged around an altar associated with the goddess Cybele, illuminated by subdued lighting that emphasizes their gestures and expressions.

Technique & Style

Pilo employs a restrained neoclassical palette, favoring muted earth tones and chiaroscuro to model the figures within a shallow interior space. The brushwork is smooth and precise, echoing the Dutch genre tradition that influenced the artist, while the composition’s balanced arrangement reflects academic training in the Royal Danish Academy of Art.

Context

The late 18th century saw a revival of classical subjects in Danish art, driven by the Academy’s emphasis on antiquity and moral exempla. Pilo’s choice of a myth involving Venus, Helen, and Cybele aligns with contemporary tastes for narratives that could convey ethical lessons while showcasing the artist’s facility with the human figure.

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Artist & collection

Portrait of Carl Gustaf Pilo

Artist

Carl Gustaf Pilo

Carl Gustaf Pilo (5 March 1711 – 2 March 1793) was a Swedish painter. Pilo worked extensively in Denmark as a painter to the Danish Royal Court and as professor and director at the Royal Danish Academy of Art (Danish:…

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter?

Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter was painted by Carl Gustaf Pilo in 1794-01-01.

Where can I see Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter?

Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter?

Aeneas hindres af Venus i sin hævn mod Helena, som har søgt tilflugt ved Cybeles alter is associated with Neoclassicism.