Where can I see Eneas Carrying Anchises, his Father, from the Burning of Troy?

Eneas Carrying Anchises, his Father, from the Burning of Troy is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Eneas Carrying Anchises, his Father, from the Burning of Troy?

Eneas Carrying Anchises, his Father, from the Burning of Troy is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Eneas Carrying Anchises, his Father, from the Burning of Troy

Eneas Carrying Anchises, his Father, from the Burning of Troy is a print by the Baroque artist Antonio Maria I Zanetti. It dates from 1723 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Antonio Maria I Zanetti’s 1723 print, titled *Eneas Carrying Anchises, his Father, from the Burning of Troy*, depicts a dramatic rescue scene set against a night sky lit by flames. The composition centers on a figure bearing another on his back, while a conflagrated structure and distant water complete the turbulent backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the mythic episode in which the Trojan hero Aeneas lifts his elderly father Anchises from the burning city of Troy, symbolizing filial duty and the preservation of lineage amid catastrophe. The intense lighting and movement emphasize the urgency and sacrifice inherent in the narrative.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraved print, Zanetti employs strong chiaroscuro contrasts to model the figures and convey depth. Varied hatching creates texture in the sky, flames, and distant water, while the limited palette of dark tones punctuated by bright fire highlights the Baroque emphasis on drama and emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in the early eighteenth century, the work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its attribution to Zanetti, a noted Venetian printmaker, situates the piece within the broader European print tradition that disseminated classical themes during the Baroque period.