Entry of Alexander into Babylon 1664

Charles Le Brun painted this depiction of “The Entry of Alexander into Babylon” during the 17th century, a period marked by the rise of absolutist monarchies and the visual rhetoric of power. Commissioned during the reign of Louis XIV, this painting uses the historical figure of Alexander the Great to reflect the French court's aspirations to power, dominance, and cultural influence. Le Brun presents Alexander as a triumphant hero, but through a lens that very much speaks to the racial and gendered politics of his time. Alexander's idealized, almost god-like representation, contrasts sharply with the obscured or subjugated figures of the conquered Babylonians. The painting subtly reinforces a hierarchy where European ideals of beauty and power are placed above all others. The experience of viewing this artwork today invites us to reflect on how historical narratives are constructed and whose perspectives are prioritized.