print
- Museum number
- 1868,0822.64
- Description
-
Alexander in the centre surrounded by putti approaching the seated Roxanne offering her a crown; after a composition by Raphael
Engraving
- Production date
- 1520-1539
- Dimensions
-
Height: 225 millimetres
-
Width: 315 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- The print follows the ecphrasis in Lucian's 'Herodotus' very closely. It describes how some putti are straining to lift another on the heavy shield while one crawls inside the cuirass 'in ambush' so as to pop out and give everyone a surprise. The attribution to Raphael is traditional, and is presumably based on the resemblance to the figure of Alexander in the grisaille in the Stanza della Segnatura.
The figure at the left in this print was used in an Italian maiolica bowl by Xanto (British Museum,1878,1230.403); see D.Thornton and T.Wilson, 'Italian Renaissance Ceramics: a Catalogue of the British Museum Collection,' vol.I, London, 2009, pp. 284-285, cat. no.168).
A version of this impression was issued as a black and white facsimile by the British Museum in 'Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, Reproduced by Photographic Process', [First Series] Part II (Italian Prints), Published by the Trustees in 1883, where it was number XVI and described there as 'Giovanni Giacomo Caraglio, 1512 - 1570.'; (Shelfmark 245*.b.13).
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated titles
Associated Title: Herodotus (Lucian)
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0822.64
