“The Family of Darius before Alexander” by Paolo Veronese

This painting is an incredible masterpiece.

It depicts the mother of Darius - the Persian King - pleading with their conqueror Alexander the Great for mercy.

After the death of Titian, Tintoretto and “Paolo Caliari” succeeded him as the preeminent painters of Venice. Paolo was known as “Veronese” as he was born in the city of Verona. I have been to Venice and their works adorn the churches, palaces, villas. But Veronese’s vast frescos and canvas really engraved on the European imagination a vision of Venice shimmering with pearls and precious stuffs.

Firstly, it is huge. Expansive.

Secondly, Veronese weaves such rich & saturated hues against some rather ghostly shadows. It’s so dramatic and engrossing. We are almost implicated in the Queen Mother’s desperate beseeching.

The dresses and capes (à la Venetian doges), and operatic Roman dress illustrate the brilliance and sheer magnanimity of Alexander the Great.

Alexander the Great spared the Queen Mother, wife and children.

Alexander’s gesture towards the fellow near him (“Hephaestion”) arises from the Queen Mother, Sisygambis, prostrating herself in front of Hephaestion mistaking him for Alexander. Alexander’s negligent gesture betokens a humility 

Details:

 

The Roman dress of Alexander the Great, and his curly hair.

The earnest look on the Queen Mother's face.

 

As ever, Veronese includes a charming canine against a little boy.

Ghostly horses against Roman pillars.

 

Love the primate as an exotic oriental detail.

Those little dogs seem terrified, as the boy himself being consoled.