Alexander the Great presenting Campaspe to Apelles 1810 Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres Ingres executed this drawing of a subject from Pliny's "Natural History" during his last year as a student at the French Academy in Rome. Alexander the Great, who stands at center, had commissioned Apelles to paint a portrait of his favorite mistress, Campaspe. Over the course of the sittings, Apelles fell in love with his subject. As a sign of his esteem, Alexander then offered Campaspe to the painter; it is this moment of exchange that Ingres chose to represent. With her arm supported by the king, Campaspe
Alexander the Great presenting Campaspe to Apelles 1810 Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres Ingres executed this drawing of a subject from Pliny's "Natural History" during his last year as a student at the French Academy in Rome. Alexander the Great, who stands at center, had commissioned Apelles to paint a portrait of his favorite mistress, Campaspe. Over the course of the sittings, Apelles fell in love with his subject. As a sign of his esteem, Alexander then offered Campaspe to the painter; it is this moment of exchange that Ingres chose to represent. With her arm supported by the king, Campaspe steps off a small pedestal. She gazes across at Apelles who, with a paintbrush between his fingers, kisses the king’s hand in gratitude. The frieze-like nature of the composition suits the antique subject. Ingres never pursued the subject in paint, so this drawing is his most advanced version of the composition, likely intended as a finished work in Alexander the Great presenting Campaspe to Apelles. Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres (French, Montauban 1780–1867 Paris). 1810. Graphite, brush and brown wash. Drawings
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