“Dido” by Andrea Mantegna, created between 1495 and 1500, is an oil painting representing the High Renaissance art movement. The dimensions of this mythological painting are 65.3 x 31.4 cm. It is housed in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) in Montreal, Canada.
The artwork portrays a solemn and majestic figure, presumably Dido, the legendary queen of Carthage. Clad in intricately detailed drapery, she stands with a melancholic expression, holding an urn. Her head is adorned with a regal crown, and she appears to be set against a backdrop of rustic elements, including sheaves of wheat and a wooden structure, which contribute to the scene’s dramatic atmosphere. The artist employs a subdued and earthy palette to evoke a sense of solemnity and historical gravitas, which is characteristic of Mantegna’s meticulous style.
