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French, active in the 18th Century
The Battle of Gaugamela also known as the Battle of Arbela, 1790
mixed media (black chalk, pen and grey ink, watercolour, heightened with gum Arabic)
signed and dated 1790 lower right
extensively inscribed
The work is in very good condition with all the details and colours remaining sharp and clear.
43.5 x 91.5 cm
54 x 102 cm (w/frame)
Provenance
private collection, Greece
Christie’s, Old Masters Auction - December 2007
NOTES
The Battle of Gaugamela also known as the Battle of Arbela (Η Μάχη των Γαυγαμήλων ή Μάχη στα Άρβηλα) was the last, biggest, and most decisive battle of Alexander the Great against Darius in 331 BC. This was the final battle between the two kings and is considered to be the final blow to the Achaemenid Empire, resulting in its complete conquest by Alexander. The fighting took place in Gaugamela, a village on the banks of the river Bumodus. The area today is known as modern-day Erbil in Iraq.
Jean Philibert LEFEBVRE painted this in 1790 based on Charles Le Brun's original. Charles Le Brun was commissioned by Louis XIV of France in the 17th century to create a series of paintings about Alexander the Great. These today can be seen in the “Hall of the History of Alexander” in the Louvre Museum.
THE PAINTING BEARS THE FOLLOWING HANDWRITTEN INSCRIPTIONS BY THE ARTIST IN FRENCH
The main inscription seen lower middle reads:-
ALEXANDRE apres pleisieus victoires, defit Darius dans le bataille qu il donna pres d’Arbelle, & ce dernier combat ayant acheve de renverser le trone des Perses, tout l’orient fut sounis a l’Empire des Macedoniens.
(Meaning: - ALEXANDER, after many victories, managed to defeat Darius in the battle he fought near Arbela and this last battle overthrew the throne of the Persians, subordinating the entire East to the Macedonian Empire.)
The inscription seen lower left reads:-
Ce Tableau peint par le celebre Le BRUN a 16 pieds de haut sur 39 pieds 5 pou… de long. (Meaning: - This painting painted by the famous Le BRUN is 16 feet high by 39 feet 5 inches ... wide)
(Meaning: - This painting, painted by the famous Le BRUN is in the royal chambers, and it is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5 inches wide)
The inscription seen lower right reads:- dessinne par jean philibert LEFEBVRE en 1790
(Meaning: - designed by Jean Phillibert LEFEBVRE in 1790)
The Battle of Gaugamela also known as the Battle of Arbela (Η Μάχη των Γαυγαμήλων ή Μάχη στα Άρβηλα) was the last, biggest, and most decisive battle of Alexander the Great against Darius in 331 BC. This was the final battle between the two kings and is considered to be the final blow to the Achaemenid Empire, resulting in its complete conquest by Alexander. The fighting took place in Gaugamela, a village on the banks of the river Bumodus. The area today is known as modern-day Erbil in Iraq.
Jean Philibert LEFEBVRE painted this in 1790 based on Charles Le Brun's original. Charles Le Brun was commissioned by Louis XIV of France in the 17th century to create a series of paintings about Alexander the Great. These today can be seen in the “Hall of the History of Alexander” in the Louvre Museum.
THE PAINTING BEARS THE FOLLOWING HANDWRITTEN INSCRIPTIONS BY THE ARTIST IN FRENCH
The main inscription seen lower middle reads:-
ALEXANDRE apres pleisieus victoires, defit Darius dans le bataille qu il donna pres d’Arbelle, & ce dernier combat ayant acheve de renverser le trone des Perses, tout l’orient fut sounis a l’Empire des Macedoniens.
(Meaning: - ALEXANDER, after many victories, managed to defeat Darius in the battle he fought near Arbela and this last battle overthrew the throne of the Persians, subordinating the entire East to the Macedonian Empire.)
The inscription seen lower left reads:-
Ce Tableau peint par le celebre Le BRUN a 16 pieds de haut sur 39 pieds 5 pou… de long. (Meaning: - This painting painted by the famous Le BRUN is 16 feet high by 39 feet 5 inches ... wide)
(Meaning: - This painting, painted by the famous Le BRUN is in the royal chambers, and it is 16 feet high and 39 feet 5 inches wide)
The inscription seen lower right reads:- dessinne par jean philibert LEFEBVRE en 1790
(Meaning: - designed by Jean Phillibert LEFEBVRE in 1790)
Cypria Auctions
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2003 Strovolos
Nicosia, Cyprus
phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
email: info@cypriaauctions.com
2003 Strovolos
Nicosia, Cyprus
phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
email: info@cypriaauctions.com