The Triumph of Alexander the Great, 17th Century, Oil on Canvas

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Oil on canvas. 17th-century Bolognese School. The large, rich scene features a knight bursting into the enemy camp, dagger drawn, … Read more Oil on canvas. 17th-century Bolognese School. The large, rich scene features a knight bursting into the enemy camp, dagger drawn, and confronting the family of the rival king, standing in a pose of surrender and supplication. Behind the knight, two deities appear on a cloud, presumably Venus and Mars, the latter holding an olive branch to emphasize the imminence of peace. This is likely the Macedonian king Alexander the Great, triumphing in one of his important campaigns of conquest; his horse bears the monogram AG, although it is unknown whether it refers to the artist or refers to the character depicted. Rich in color and with figures in motion, recounting an episode of classical culture, the painting expresses the characteristics of 17th-century Bolognese art, founded on the revival of classicism and the affirmation of the Baroque. The vivid colors and the overlapping of the figures in different fields of vision, differentiated by varying levels of brightness, are particularly striking. The painting has been restored and relined in the past. It is presented in an early 20th-century gilded frame. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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