$369
Continental School, 19th Century Alexander the Great and Campaspe in the Studio of Apelles Unsigned. Oil on canvas, 21 3/4 x 17 1/2 in. (55.2 x 44.4 cm), framed. Condition: Surface grime, craquelure and stretcher marks, retouch along bottom. N.B. The story of Alexander the Great and his court painter, Apelles, was a popular subject for Renaissance and Baroque painters. Tiepolo was known to have rendered three versions of the subject. Pliny's Natural History of 77 A.D. describes Alexander commissioning Apelles to paint a portrait of his favorite concubine, Campaspe. The story is said to illustrate art's transformative powers: Apelles fell in love with his sitter as he captured her beauty on canvas. Alexander was so impressed with the portrait he is said to have presented Campaspe to Apelles as a reward.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2015-07-18
