The Trojan Women Setting Fire to Their Fleet

Trojan women burn their ships to end their wanderings. Approaching rain anticipates Jupiter’s intervention to save the fleet. Cardinal Girolamo Farnese commissioned the painting after years of travelling on papal service. A classical story unfolds within an expansive harbour landscape.

A large sailing vessel fills the left foreground. Its hull and rigging bring the maritime journey close to the viewer.

A three-masted ship stands near the shore. Several vessels establish that the danger concerns the Trojan fleet.

An open boat carries people towards the beach. Movement between ships and shore connects different parts of the story.

Women gather beside the ships. Their decision to end the wanderings provides the narrative cause of the fire.

A heavy grey cloud covers the right sky. The coming rain relates to Jupiter’s intervention and the fleet’s rescue.

Low hills extend behind the harbour. The broad landscape surrounds an event enacted by comparatively small figures.

Claude sketched around Rome and developed finished paintings in his studio. He also kept a drawn record, the Liber Veritatis, possibly to counter imitations sold under his name.