Artwork
The Magnanimity of Alexander the Great (scene from the story of Alexander the Great)
The Magnanimity of Alexander the Great (scene from the story of Alexander the Great) is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Domenico Ghirlandaio. It dates from 1481 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Domenico Ghirlandaio's tempera painting, The Magnanimity of Alexander the Great, dates to around 1481. It is a representative work of the early Renaissance period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a scene from the legend of Alexander the Great, highlighting his reputed clemency. The scene is populated with numerous figures and horses, conveying a sense of celebration and joy.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by its vivid colors, including prominent reds, blues, and yellows, and a high level of detail. The composition includes various elements such as tables laden with food, a tent with a red canopy, and a statue of a man on horseback.
History & Provenance
Ghirlandaio, a prominent Florentine painter, was born in 1448 and operated a prolific workshop that trained many apprentices, including family members. He was part of the third generation of Renaissance artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Domenico di Tommaso Curradi di Doffo Bigordi (2 June 1448 – 11 January 1494), professionally known as Domenico Ghirlandaio (also spelt as Ghirlandajo), was an Italian Renaissance painter born in Florence.
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The Magnanimity of Scipio
The Triumph of Aemilius Paulus after the Battle of Pydna
Procession of the Magi
The Assassination and Funeral of Julius Caesar
The Continence of Scipio
The Story of Esther
The Triumph of Camillus
Tarquinius Priscus Entering Rome