A detailed 18th-century engraving by Jacob Folkema depicting the classical myth of Aeneas escaping the destruction of Troy.

This engraving by Jacob Folkema depicts a dramatic scene from Virgil's Aeneid: the flight of Aeneas from the ruins of Troy. Folkema, a Dutch engraver active in the eighteenth century, demonstrates technical precision in his handling of the burin. The composition centres on the heroic figure of Aeneas, who is shown in a moment of urgent departure. Beside him, his family members are rendered with expressive gestures, conveying the chaos and desperation of the fall of the city. In the background, flames consume the architecture, providing a stark contrast to the foreground figures.

The work is characteristic of the period's interest in classical literature and historical themes. Folkema employs a structured approach to light and shadow, using cross-hatching to define the musculature of the figures and the textures of their garments. The inclusion of a small dog in the foreground adds a touch of domestic realism to the epic narrative. Below the main image, a smaller, circular vignette repeats the theme, a common feature in book illustrations of the era. This print offers a glimpse into the European tradition of narrative printmaking, where classical myths were translated into visual form for a literate audience. The balance of the composition and the attention to anatomical detail reflect the training of an artist well-versed in the conventions of the Dutch school of engraving.