Dido welcomes Aeneas and the Trojans to Juno's temple - Thelott
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Description
The scene is set inside the temple, as indicated by the vaulted ceiling at top left and the fountain surrounded by trees at bottom left.
Didon on the right has probably descended from his throne to step to the edge of the dais and welcome Aeneas, and presumably Achate behind him, who have just appeared before him. Further to the left, the Trojans already present before Dido look at each other in astonishment.
Aeneas holds a staff of command, signaling his quasi-royal status. Behind Dido, Cupid in the guise of Ascanius holds the train of her dress, as if already celebrating a wedding. In Virgil's text, Ascagne-Cupidon is not yet present at this first meeting.
Behind Ascagne, completely to the right, Anna, Dido's sister, speaks to one of her attendants.
The fountain that marks the exit from the temple is mysterious: it consists of a basin carried by an Atlantean, or satyr, who looks down on the scene. Does it foreshadow the explosion of desire?
- Signed at the bottom of the plate, under the dog "J A Thelot. inv. & fe.".
- Former collection of Baroness Salomon de Rotschild, bequeathed to the Louvre in 1922.
Technical Data
Notice #024712