Artwork

Aeneas and his family fleeing the burning city of Troy, with the Trojan horse in the background

Aeneas and his family fleeing the burning city of Troy, with the Trojan horse in the background 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

Overview

Juan de la Corte’s oil on canvas, painted in 1601, portrays the legendary flight of Aeneus and his kin as Troy succumbs to flames. The composition is dominated by a towering wooden horse in the distance, while figures scramble amid smoke and ruin, conveying the urgency of the mythic escape.

Subject & Meaning

The work visualizes the moment after the Trojan horse’s deception, when Aeneas, his father Anchises, and his son Ascanius abandon the burning city. The chaotic movement of men, women, and children underscores themes of loss, survival, and the founding myth that would later lead to the establishment of Rome.

Technique & Style

Executed in an early Baroque manner, the painting employs strong chiaroscuro to heighten drama; illuminated figures emerge from deep shadows, emphasizing the contrast between firelight and darkness. Dynamic poses, detailed armor, and a richly textured sky reflect de la Corte’s Flemish training merged with Italianate vigor.

History & Provenance

Born in Antwerp around 1590, de la Corte worked in Spain and later served as court painter to Philip III and Philip IV. After its creation, the canvas entered the royal collections and is now housed in the Museo del Prado, where it remains part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.

Context

The painting aligns with the early 17th‑century fascination with classical epics, especially the Aeneid, which provided moral exemplars for contemporary audiences. De la Corte’s choice of a dramatic, battle‑like scene reflects the period’s interest in heroic narratives and the visual language of conflict.