The Dream of Aeneas c. 1663 - 1664

Curator: This etching, "The Dream of Aeneas," was created by Salvator Rosa, a Baroque artist who lived from 1615 to 1673. Editor: It feels so unsettling. The stark lines give it a quality that's both ancient and tormented, like a nightmare etched onto paper. Curator: Rosa uses the etching technique to create high contrast and dramatic lighting, really emphasizing the emotional intensity of Aeneas’s vision. Notice the figure of the river god Tiber, pointing the way forward. Editor: It's interesting, isn't it? The god is directing Aeneas towards his destiny, but Aeneas is slumped over, seemingly defeated. The contrast between the two figures tells a story about the weight of fate. Curator: Absolutely. The details, from the armour to the flowing beard of the river god, all speak to the heroic and the divine. Editor: I suppose what's so potent is this balance between despair and a sense of purpose... it's the human condition, laid bare. Curator: Indeed. It makes one reflect on the burdens we all carry, and those dreams of where we need to go.