Alexander the Great before the Corpse of Darius c. 1750s - 1760s

Francesco Fontebasso made this pen and wash drawing, Alexander the Great before the Corpse of Darius, in the 18th century. We see Alexander, the famous conqueror, confronted with the body of his defeated foe. The image is interesting for what it tells us about 18th-century attitudes to power, leadership, and history itself. It shows the leaders of the past through the lens of contemporary social and political values. Fontebasso was working in Venice, at a time when the city was past its peak but still a major centre of art and culture. The Venetian elite were keen to align themselves with the glory of the past. Classical imagery was particularly fashionable. They saw themselves as the heirs to the Roman empire. To understand Fontebasso's artistic choices, it's important to explore not just the aesthetic trends of his time, but also the power dynamics and social structures that influenced his patrons. Through close examination of historical sources, we can gain insights into the complex relationship between art, power, and society.