About this artwork
Salvator Rosa most likely intended this large print as a companion to his The Genius of Salvator Rosa (2002.463). It shows a story from the Roman author Pliny of how Alexander the Great was humbled and mocked by the famous Greek painter Apelles. As the inscription describes, in the studio Alexander made many uninformed comments, and Apelles advised him to be silent, saying that the boys engaged in grinding colors were laughing at him. Like Apelles, Rosa had no qualms about declaring his superiority over his patrons. This anecdote was therefore a natural choice for the confident and headstrong Rosa, who wished to spread his reputation as a rebellious artist.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Prints and Drawings
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Artist
- Salvator Rosa
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Title
- Alexander in the Studio of Apelles
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Place
- Italy (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- Made 1657–1667
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Medium
- Etching and drypoint on ivory laid paper
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Dimensions
- Plate: 45.5 × 27.3 cm (17 15/16 × 10 3/4 in.); Sheet: 46.7 × 28.5 cm (18 7/16 × 11 1/4 in.)
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Credit Line
- The Amanda S. Johnson and Marion J. Livingston Endowment
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Reference Number
- 1995.30
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/137057/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.