Winter - Juno Pleads to Destroy Aeneas' Fleet
- Original dimensions
- 166 x 197.5 cm
- Museum
- São Paulo Museum of Art
- Year
- 1850
Scene depicted
The painting depicts Juno, the jealous goddess, pleading from the heavens for the annihilation of the Trojan fleet. A pictorial work rich in symbolism, where divine anger clashes with the aspirations of mortals. This tangible and dramatic composition reveals the fragility of man in the face of the whims of the gods, while sketching a parallel with the tragic fate of Aeneas, hero of mythology.
Historical context
Created in the heart of the 19th century, this painting reflects the contradictions of its time. The canvas, marked by the romantic movement, evokes inner struggles and human passions. Currently housed in the São Paulo Museum of Art , the painting imposes itself with its majestic dimensions, serving as a link between mythological history and contemporary feeling.
Place in the artist's career
Inscribed in a period of maturity, Winter symbolizes a stylistic peak of Delacroix. It resonates with other iconic paintings such as “ Liberty Leading the People ” and “ The Massacre at Chios ,” illustrating the evolution of his use of color and light. This painting imparts an unparalleled emotional depth, revealing the genius and feeling of its creator.
Anecdote
“Painting must be a cry,” Delacroix is said to have remarked. During a trip to Italy, amidst the ancient splendors, he finds inspiration for this masterpiece . On a morning tinged with mist, he imagines Juno imploring destruction, capturing the tension between the divine and the mortal, a momentum that transcends this canvas .