Aeneas Fleeing Troy - Arnoud van Halen

A dramatic mezzotint depicting the classical scene of Aeneas carrying his father Anchises from the ruins of Troy.

This work depicts the classical narrative of Aeneas escaping the burning city of Troy, a subject drawn from Virgil's Aeneid. Arnoud van Halen, a Dutch artist active during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, captures the urgency of the moment through a dramatic, circular composition. The central figure of Aeneas is shown carrying his elderly father, Anchises, on his back, while his son Ascanius follows closely behind. The inclusion of Creusa, Aeneas's wife, completes the family group as they navigate the chaos of the fall of Troy.

Van Halen employs the mezzotint technique to great effect here. This method allows for a wide range of tonal values, moving from deep, velvety shadows to soft, luminous highlights. The circular frame suggests that this image may have been intended as a decorative medallion or a study for a larger ceiling painting, a common practice for artists of the period. The figures are rendered with a sense of physical weight and movement, their drapery swirling to suggest the haste of their departure. The background remains largely atmospheric, focusing the viewer's attention on the emotional and physical burden borne by the protagonist.

As a Dutch artist, Van Halen was part of a tradition that valued technical precision and narrative clarity. This print demonstrates his ability to translate complex mythological themes into a compact, readable format. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of volume, giving the figures a sculptural quality. By choosing this specific moment from the epic, the artist focuses on the themes of duty, family, and survival. The work remains a fine example of the printmaking traditions that flourished in the Netherlands, providing a window into how classical literature was interpreted and visualised by artists of the era.