Alexander the Great enthroned, Charles le Brun (Paris 1619 – 1690) Circle of

Charles le Brun (Paris 1619 – 1690) Circle of
Alexander the Great sitting on the throne giving audience to the satraps of the empire
Oil on canvas (90 x 142 cm. – In frame 114 x 168 cm.)

The composition portrays Alexander the Great, sitting triumphant on the throne and aware of his glory as he raises his scepter high as a sign of power, while giving audience to the Persian governors of the conquered provinces, dressed in the ancient traditional ceremonial clothes.
With the conquest of the Persian empire and the consequent submission of Darius III, Alexander had now marked his rise to ruler of the ancient world, and it became necessary to establish a court administration, in which his State was manifested and with which he could bring to his empire the authority of his sovereignty.

Here we see Alexander, now considered the King of kings, while he receives the Persian satraps of the provinces of the kingdom (the satrapies) for an audience in his royal tent, showing off all the typical symbols of his power: the throne, the classic crown (tiara ), the shirt, the red royal cloak (chiton) and of course the scepter.

During these audiences Alexander had the old rulers swear loyalty, in exchange he gave them the power of administrative management, while naturally he entrusted the military management to his faithful.

This is a valuable work, executed by a French painter active around the second half of the 17th century and precisely from the circle/workshop of Charles Le Brune, a painter who addressed this theme on several occasions, including the very famous four canvases commissioned by king Louis XIV, which were to illustrate the warrior exploits of the greatest conqueror of antiquity, a military genius capable of creating an empire spanning three continents.

The ambitions of the great monarch found in the figure of Alexander a comparison and a model for their extension: Le Brun's compositions are therefore not just a memory of some famous episodes of Antiquity, but fully participate in the propaganda that glorifies the monarchy and the reigning sovereign.

Many aristocrats of the time, in the wake of the deignant, commissioned works featuring the Great Alexander as the protagonist for their collections, and often, as in this case, most likely, they had themselves portrayed with their own features.

Good state of conservation. Relined. Painting material in excellent condition, with old restorations scattered on the surface.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The painting is sold complete with a pleasant frame and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.
We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
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