This enamel plate is part of a series of 82 plates accounted for to date. They illustrate a 1502 Strasbourg publishing of The Aeneid, a saga written by the Latin poet, Virgil (70-19 BC). This ornamentation recounts the tale of the Trojan Aeneas. From the first song, the hero takes on the wrath of the goddess Juno, who is against Troy.
She comes to earth with Aiolos, the God of Wind. Ailosos grants the goddess' request to unleash the winds (represented by four human heads) on the Trojan ships. To the left, the God of Sea, Neptune, calms the waves. The two lower thirds of the enamel plate depict boats caught up in the violent winds. Some faces show despair, whilst a mast begins to break.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.