Barocci's first version of this painting was sent from Duke Francesco Maria II to
Emperor Rudolf II of Prague and is now lost. This version was commissioned ten years later.
Commissioning a Painting for Political Gain
It is believed Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere presented Cardinal Scipione with this second version, which entered the Borghese collection before 1613. It was this painting that inspired Cardinal Scipione to commission a large marble group on the same subject from one of my favourite Italian artists, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The myth of Aeneas, ancestor of Romulus and Remus, referred to the birth of Rome and thus confirmed the Borghese family's high status in the city.The Story of Troy
For anyone who is aware of the story of Troy the scene is familiar; Aeneas, the Trojan hero, son of Prince Anchises and the Goddess Aphrodite, flees from the burning fallen town of Troy with the assistance of Aphrodite, Apollo and Poseidon. Aeneas is destined to become king of the Trojan people. He kills 28 people in the Trojan War, and his career during that war is retold by Roman historian Gaius Julius Hyginus.In the painting Aeneas carries his father and leads his son Ascanius to safety. To the right, Creusa, daughter of Priam and first wife of Aeneas.
Painting Fire
Never before had flames been painted so close to, with an energy suggesting even the crackle of the fire, from which Ascanius seems to be protecting himself by covering his ears.Barocci's Studies for Aeneas Fleeing Troy
Surrounding the painting were numerous studies. Barocci kept meticulous records for future replication.The head of Anchises was lent for the Exhibition by Her Majesty the Queen. It has only been recently recognised to be Barocci's original due to the obscuring yellow varnish.You may like:
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