The Death of Dido

Guercino (after) 1591 - 1666

Summary

This is thought to be an early studio copy after the famous original by the Bolognese artist Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Guercino, which is at the Galleria Spada, Rome. The subject is taken from Virgil's Aeneid (4:362-92). Manipulated by the gods, the beautiful and intelligent Queen of Carthage, Dido, and the Trojan prince, Aeneas, fall in love on his arrival in Carthage. Aeneas remains there until the gods' messenger, Mercury, arrives to remind him that his destiny lies in Rome. As Aeneas sails for Italy, the distraught Dido stabs herself to death on a funeral pyre in the presence of her people. Guercino depicts the moment of her self-destruction. In the centre of the picture, Queen Dido lies on the pyre outside her palace, seen to the left, a long sword piercing her through. She is able to pull herself up to respond to a grieving lady in waiting, whose arms are outstretched in disbelief. All around them courtiers exhibit a variety of expressions of concern and grief: a man behind points to the distant view of the harbour with the departing ships; ladies are weeping; a man on the right gestures toward the scene. Despite the evident tragedy, the emotional tone remains elevated. Above, cupid with his bow and arrow flies away.