“Astraea Leaves The Earth” is an oil painting on canvas created by the artist Salvator Rosa in 1665. The artwork belongs to the Baroque art movement and falls within the genre of mythological painting. It is currently housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
The artwork depicts the mythological moment of Astraea, the goddess of justice, leaving the Earth. She is portrayed as a luminous, ethereal figure ascending towards the heavens, symbolizing the departure of justice from the world. Below her, several despairing mortals reach out, attempting to grasp her or beseech her, their expressions revealing a profound sense of loss and desperation. The dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristic of the Baroque style, enhances the emotional intensity of the scene, while the dynamic composition and flowing drapery convey a sense of movement and urgency.
