Artwork
The Wedding of Alexander and Roxana
The Wedding of Alexander and Roxana is a photography by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
The painting titled *The Wedding of Alexander and Roxana* was executed in 1664 by the artist recorded as 823_person. It is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition presents a bustling ceremonial scene rendered in warm gold, red, and earth tones, with a strong contrast of light and shadow that emphasizes the central figures and the architectural backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
At the heart of the work a woman clad in gold fabric holds a child, suggesting a matriarchal or maternal role within the nuptial narrative. Adjacent to her, another female figure reclines on a couch partially concealed by a crimson drape, evoking a sense of repose or anticipation. The surrounding crowd and the hinted cityscape imply a public celebration of the union between Alexander and Roxana.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a dramatic chiaroscuro, allowing the illuminated gold garments to stand out against darker surroundings. The red curtain, rendered with fluid brushwork, resembles a wing in motion, adding dynamism to the scene. Architectural elements in the background are suggested rather than detailed, creating a stage‑like setting that focuses attention on the figures in the foreground.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑seventeenth century, the canvas entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified later date. No further documentation of its ownership trail is provided, but its presence in a museum dedicated to cultural artifacts underscores its value as a visual record of historical wedding iconography.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
