Copy of a Marble from a Portrait of Alexander the Great

In the Museo Capitolino by Peter von Verschaffelt.

Provenance: The marble was purchased in Rome by Matthew Brettingham on July 26th, 1752 for 74 crowns and 30 paulst.

The prototype of this replica of the ideal ruler par excellence is connected with Hellenistic baroque art, suggesting a date in the first half of the 2nd century BC. A man in the flower of his youth twists his head vigorously to his left with gaze directed upwards. The leonine mane of unruly hair tumbles down the back and at the sides of the face. Alexander is still seen as the dashing conqueror – the perfect image of courage, bravery and eternal youth.