Magnificent oil on canvas from the second half of the 17th century, featuring the famous composition by Charles le Brun.
Named in turn: "The tent of Darius", "The queens of Persia at the feet of Alexander", "Alexander under the tent of Darius" or "The family of Darius at the feet of Alexander".
The original work was probably painted at the end of the year 1660. Charles Le Brun lived in Fontainebleau, near the king, and Louis XIV "came to see him at unexpected times when he held the brush in his hand », as Claude Nivelon, born around 1630, disciple and first biographer of Charles Le Brun, points out.

The painting represents the mother of Darius throwing herself at the feet of the king of Macedonia, victorious over her son at the battle of Issos (– 333), in order to implore clemency for her prisoner family.

Now, LOOK CAREFULLY at the scene and discover the origin of one of the most famous replicas of Alexander:

After his resounding victory against Darius III at the Battle of Issus, who incidentally cowardly deserted the battlefield, Alexander took possession of the royal tent of the vanquished. 
The mother of Darius, being mistaken, rushes at the feet of Hephaestion (blue toga), friend and faithful lieutenant of Alexander (red toga). Hephaestion's non-verbal attitude also expresses his surprise and his refusal to be taken for his pygmalion.
Moreover, Alexandre does not take offense at this misunderstanding. Turning to the daughter of Darius (red shawl, carrying her son Ochus), and arresting Hephaestion with his left arm, he declares this famous retort: "This one too is  Alexander".
Alexandre  then announces to the women that Darius is not dead, but on the run, spares them and allows them to bury their dead.

The scene is inspired by a sequence from Plutarch's Lives of Illustrious Men , a passage from Quinte Curce, but also contemporary plays centered on the hero Macedonian: Claude Boyer in 1648 (Porus ou la Générosité d'Alexandre), Morel in 1658 (Timoclée_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb 3b-136bad5cf58d_ou_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b- 136bad5cf58d_the Generosity of Alexander, tragicomedy), already insisted on the greatness of soul of the winner of Darius.

Charles le Brun, naturally made several copies of this work and like most painters of the 17th century, some in reverse composition. 
It is therefore this orientation that is chosen by this painter who followed Charles le Brun, by creating this oil on canvas just after the exhibition of the original, between 1660 and 1700.

The work is in a very good state of conservation with its original canvas, characteristic weaving until the middle of the 18th century (thicker threads and irregular weaving). This one, in linen, rather indicates a French origin. The Italian fabrics of the XVIIth century being for the great majority in hemp.

Small gaps at the top left.
Two old repairs.

Very beautiful oil on canvas from the end of the 17th century. 

Dimensions:

129cm / 97cm

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