Nathaniel Dance travelled to Italy in 1754 and in 1759 began work on his first major classical subject, 'The Death of Virginia' (untraced), possibly the first history painting derived from a classical text to have been made by a British artist working in Rome. The present picture was commissioned probably in 1763–1764, by George Harry, Lord Grey of Groby (1737–1819), who also commissioned landscapes by the Irish artist, John Plimmer (flourished 1755–c.1761), a self-portrait by Anton Raphael Mengs, as well as two satirical works by Thomas Patch.

The only specific reference to the making of this picture is the Grand Tour diary of James Martin who, on 10 July 1764, noted that he had seen in Dance's studio 'several portraits by Him & a History Piece begun represg. Eneas appearing to Dido; It appeared to me to be well composed'. On 2 November 1764 he wrote: 'wt to Mr Dance's saw there a picture he has almost finished for Lord Gray representing Aeneas appearing to Dido. I think it has great merit for the Variety, Expression & attitudes of the Figures; they seem to me about a third as tall as Life' (transcription from the original manuscript in the Brinsley Ford Archive, Paul Mellon Centre, London). Dance's composition, with its severely Neoclassical style, is reminiscent of the work of Nicolas Poussin, the figures depicted in a frieze-like manner across the picture plane, which is itself carefully modulated by the supporting architectural framework.

Dance exhibited 'The Meeting of Dido and Aeneas' at the Society of Artists in 1766, the painting presumably heralding his return to Britain. The following year his Royal commission, 'Timon of Athens', was also exhibited there. Dance exhibited further classical subjects at the Royal Academy, although his mainstay continued to be portraits. A man of independent means, Dance all but retired as a professional artist in the later 1770s. He resigned from the Royal Academy in 1790, on becoming a Member of Parliament. His wealth was further increased by marriage to a rich widow. In 1800 Dance changed his surname to 'Dance-Holland' by Royal license, Holland being the surname of a distant cousin of his wife.

Further reading: David Goodreau, 'Nathaniel Dance', exhibition catalogue, The Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood, London 1977 p.10
John Ingamells, 'A Dictionary of British and Irish Travellers in Italy 1701–1800 compiled from the Brinsley Ford Archive', New Haven and London 1997, pp.275 and 431, Martin Postle October 2000