Who painted The Banquet of Alexander the Great?

The Banquet of Alexander the Great was painted by Domenico del Barbiere in 1545.

Where can I see The Banquet of Alexander the Great?

The Banquet of Alexander the Great is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Banquet of Alexander the Great?

The Banquet of Alexander the Great is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Banquet of Alexander the Great

Domenico del Barbiere , 1545

The Banquet of Alexander the Great is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Domenico del Barbiere. It dates from 1545 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Domenico del Barbiere’s *The Banquet of Alexander the Great* is a 1545 engraving executed on laid paper. The print depicts a bustling interior scene in which a group of figures gathers around a table for a meal, while others stand, recline, or lean against furnishings, creating a lively tableau.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a banquet setting that alludes to the legendary feasts of Alexander the Great, using the gathering of diners, a window‑side pair holding a bottle and cup, and decorative elements such as a wall‑mounted statue and painting to evoke a sense of cultured abundance.

Technique & Style

Del Barbiere employs fine, closely spaced lines and cross‑hatching to model forms and suggest depth, giving the scene a near‑three‑dimensional quality. The varied poses—some relaxed, others active—enhance the impression of movement within the confined space, a hallmark of mid‑16th‑century printmaking.

History & Provenance

A Florentine trained in Italy, del Barbiere worked in France with the Fontainebleau circle before returning to Troyes by 1541, where he established a workshop as a sculptor for local churches. The engraving reflects his dual practice in decorative arts and printmaking during this period.

Context

The work sits at the intersection of Italian Renaissance ideals and French decorative trends of the Fontainebleau school. Its subject—an ancient historical banquet—mirrors the period’s fascination with classical antiquity, while the detailed interior reflects contemporary interest in domestic and courtly life.

Artist & collection

Artist

Domenico del Barbiere

Domenico del Barbiere (c. 1506 – c. 1570) was a Florentine artist of the Renaissance period, also referred to as Domenico Fiorentino, and, in France, Dominique Florentin. He settled and married at Troyes in France…