Vier voorstellingen uit de klassieke geschiedenis 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke’s etching from the 1700s depicts four scenes from the life of Alexander the Great. In each, we see Alexander in moments of conquest and defeat, surrounded by symbols of power and mortality. Take, for instance, the recurring motif of the tent or draped fabric. It appears in three of the four scenes, each time signifying a space of transition – a battlefield council, a deathbed vigil. These draped spaces evoke the impermanence of earthly power, reminding us that even the greatest conquerors are subject to the whims of fate. We see this motif repeated through art history, from ancient Roman victory arches to Renaissance tapestries. Consider how the image as a whole captures the cyclical nature of human experience. Alexander's story is one of ambition, triumph, and ultimately, mortality. It is a powerful reminder of our shared human condition, one that resonates across cultures and centuries.