Artwork
Aeneas flees the burning Troy with his family
Aeneas flees the burning Troy with his family is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Juan de la Corte. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates the Virgilian episode of Aeneas escaping the burning city of Troy with his family, a narrative of filial duty and survival. Visible elements include a sword and body armor, which underscore the martial context of the flight and suggest themes of protection and heroic resolve. Together, these details convey the work’s focus on pietas and the destined founding of Rome.
Technique & Style
Compositionally, the work emphasizes diagonal axes, spears, fleeing figures, and licking fire, channeling the dynamism of Baroque theatricality.
The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a medium typical of early-17th-century Spanish art. Its support measures 140 cm in height and 238 cm in width, consistent with large-scale narrative compositions of the period. Handling is characterized by fluid brushwork and a warm palette dominated by earth tones punctuated with vivid highlights on armor and flames, aligning with Juan de la Corte’s documented approach to dramatic historical scenes.
Compositionally, the work emphasizes diagonal axes, spears, fleeing figures, and licking fire, channeling the dynamism of Baroque theatricality. The scene’s crowded foreground and receding depth create a sense of urgency, while the controlled illumination highlights Aeneas and his family, underscoring their central role in the narrative.
History & Provenance
The oil painting titled Aeneas flees the burning Troy with his family was created by the artist Juan de la Corte in 1601. Executed on canvas, the work measures 140 cm in height and 238 cm in width. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its current location are not detailed in the available records, the work's creation is firmly dated to the early 17th century.
Overview
Aeneas flees the burning Troy with his family is a 1601 oil painting by Juan de la Corte, a Spanish artist of Flemish origin. The work is an example of early Baroque Italian painting and is held in the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
Artist & collection
Artist
Juan de la Corte, a Spanish painter of Flemish origin, who was born in Antwerp, Flanders in c.
