Alexander de Grote bij het Orakel van Delphi c. 1655 - 1665

Leonaert Bramer rendered this drawing, Alexander at the Oracle of Delphi, with pen in the 17th century. Observe Alexander, adorned in classical armor, seeking counsel from the oracle. The scene’s power lies in its depiction of authority meeting the unknown, a motif echoing through history. Consider the seated figure, draped in shadows, a modern echo of the ancient seer. In antiquity, the Delphic oracle held immense sway; her pronouncements shaped wars and destinies. Here, the artist revives this cultural memory. The raised hand of the figure standing to the right of Alexander bears witness to an age-old gesture of supplication and divine contact. We can trace it from ancient Egyptian art to Renaissance paintings of the Annunciation. It conveys a plea for insight, revealing our enduring quest for understanding that transcends time. These visual threads bind us to the past, evoking a deep, subconscious recognition of our shared human experiences.