Scuola Romana

Sold Oil on canvas painting, measuring 78 x 110 cm without frame and 97 x 122 cm with contemporary frame, depicting the family of Darius with Alexander the Great, from the Roman school of the second half of the 17th century. History tells us that in 333 BC, Alexander defeated Darius III, the last great king of the Achaemenid empire, at the Battle of Issus; Darius escaped capture, but his wife (and sister), his mother, and his daughters were taken prisoner. Alexander was merciful to them. The painting tells the story of the royal family's encounter with Alexander, where the mother kneels to ask for clemency. There are evident stylistic and figurative correspondences with an emphasis typical of the Baroque style in Rome; I believe that this work can be attributed to a central phase of the 17th century for its full adherence to the Baroque style, but already underpinned by classicist attenuations in giving greater weight to the human figure, with the central group; I believe that this date can also be explained by the very dense presentation of the characters, while still allowing some space in the upper half with a landscape background. In this painting, the painter shows that he has fully assimilated the style in vogue in Rome at that time, as can be seen in the orchestrated vast masses of characters with a dynamism of full Baroque taste, denouncing some Mannerist reminiscences in the wake of the Capitoline fresco, such as the group of knights on the right or in the central part where the attention of the author focuses on some splendid pairs of characters of more detailed definition and more vivid chromatic ranges, such as the one with Darius' mother with Alexander himself with better finished clothes and especially with very delicate colors. The paintings and art objects published here are my exclusive property and consequently are always available to be viewed in person, by appointment, in my exhibition venues located in Sanremo and Brescia. The work, like every object of ours, is sold accompanied by a FIMA photographic certificate of authenticity and legitimate origin; this document identifies the object, adding value to the item. We personally take care of and organize the packaging and shipping of artworks with insurance all over the world. Dr. Riccardo Moneghini Art Historian