Francesco Fontebasso (Venezia 1709 - Venezia 1769)

Francesco Fontebasso (Venice 1709 - Venice 1769) Alexander the Great Grants Clemency to the Persians Oil on canvas (108 x 153 cm - Framed 120 x 164 cm)   Of great fascination for the interesting subject matter, the beautiful painting draws inspiration from the conquest stories of the great Alexander the Great, portrayed while granting clemency to a general of the defeated Persian army. Going into the details of the refined composition, Alexander is portrayed standing with a triumphant and aware of his own glory, while granting clemency to the people of Persia, here symbolically represented by two opposing soldiers, one kneeling in a sign of submission and a second standing held prisoner. Interesting details of their armor, where lion heads stand out, a Persian symbol since always, in addition to the typical long sabers. Historically we know that the Battle of Issus (333 BC) definitively gave Alexander the dominance of the largest empire ever created, forcing Darius III to flee and causing panic among the Persian troops who decided to side with Alexander, asking for his clemency. Alexander treated them with respect and, after having them swear allegiance, incorporated them into his army, but always imposing his own domination: our author has immortalized this moment. It's a valuable work, executed by a Venetian painter of the 18th century and precisely attributable to Francesco Fontebasso (Venice, 1709 - 1769), a painter who addressed this theme on several occasions, a leading figure of the extraordinary pictorial season of the Venetian 18th century. His training took place in the workshop of Sebastiano Ricci, and then continued with stays in Bologna and Rome; after his return to Venice he allowed himself to be conquered by the impetuous spirit of the chiaroscuro effects of the young Giambattista Tiepolo, whose influence will be evident throughout his production. In his realization, Fontebasso gives us a strongly engaging work from an emotional point of view, both for the magnificence of the painting and for the subject matter. The subject reveals the magnanimity and clemency of the sovereign who often welcomed the conquered enemies with great consideration. The real poetry of the painting is the mastery that the painter exerts in the descriptive details, so much so that it arouses in the viewer a sense of profound admiration, enraptured by the virtuosity of the technique, by the profusion of details, with the exceptional richness of the rendering of the details of the uniforms rendered with great skill. Good state of preservation. Relined. Pictorial material in excellent condition, with some old scattered restorations on the surface. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is sold complete with a pleasant golden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We handle and organize the transport of purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. Contact us for any information, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/