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French, active in the 18th Century
Battle of the Hydaspes River, 1789
mixed media (black chalk, pen and grey ink, watercolour, heightened with gum Arabic)
signed and dated 1789 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 the Hydaspes River (Η Μάχη στον Υδάσπη ποταμό) took place in 326 BC. Here, Alexander the Great's victory against King Porus of the Indian kingdom of Pauravas on the banks of the Hydaspes River in Pentapotamia resulted in the expansion of the Macedonian empire beyond the already defeated Persian empire.
Jean Philibert LEFEBVRE painted this in 1789 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 N’EST PAS SEULEMENT TOUCHE DE COMPASSION EN VOYANT LA GRANDEUR D’AME DU ROY PORUS QU’IL A VAINCU ET FAIT SON PRISONNIER, MAIS IL LUY DONNE DES MARQUES HONNORABLES DE SON ESTIME, EN LE RECEVANT AU NOMBRE DE SES AMIS, ET EN LUY DONNANT ENSUITE UN PLUS GRAND ROYAUME QUE CELUY QUIL AVOIT PERDU.
(Meaning: - ALEXANDER, MOVED BY THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL OF THE KING OF PORUS, WHOM HE HAD DEFEATED AND CAPTURED, AWARDED HIM TITLES OF HONOR, ADDING HIM TO HIS FRIENDS, AND GIVING HIM A GREATER KINGDOM THAN THE ONE HE HAD LOST)
The inscription seen lower left reads:-
Ce Tableau peint par le celebre Le BRUN est dance le Cabinet de sa Majeste il a 16 pieds de haut sur 39 pieds 5 pouses de long.
(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:- jean philibert LEFEBVRE delineavit 1789.
(Meaning: - designed by Jean Phillibert LEFEBVRE in 1789)
The battle of the Hydaspes River (Η Μάχη στον Υδάσπη ποταμό) took place in 326 BC. Here, Alexander the Great's victory against King Porus of the Indian kingdom of Pauravas on the banks of the Hydaspes River in Pentapotamia resulted in the expansion of the Macedonian empire beyond the already defeated Persian empire.
Jean Philibert LEFEBVRE painted this in 1789 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 N’EST PAS SEULEMENT TOUCHE DE COMPASSION EN VOYANT LA GRANDEUR D’AME DU ROY PORUS QU’IL A VAINCU ET FAIT SON PRISONNIER, MAIS IL LUY DONNE DES MARQUES HONNORABLES DE SON ESTIME, EN LE RECEVANT AU NOMBRE DE SES AMIS, ET EN LUY DONNANT ENSUITE UN PLUS GRAND ROYAUME QUE CELUY QUIL AVOIT PERDU.
(Meaning: - ALEXANDER, MOVED BY THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL OF THE KING OF PORUS, WHOM HE HAD DEFEATED AND CAPTURED, AWARDED HIM TITLES OF HONOR, ADDING HIM TO HIS FRIENDS, AND GIVING HIM A GREATER KINGDOM THAN THE ONE HE HAD LOST)
The inscription seen lower left reads:-
Ce Tableau peint par le celebre Le BRUN est dance le Cabinet de sa Majeste il a 16 pieds de haut sur 39 pieds 5 pouses de long.
(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:- jean philibert LEFEBVRE delineavit 1789.
(Meaning: - designed by Jean Phillibert LEFEBVRE in 1789)
Cypria Auctions
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phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
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2003 Strovolos
Nicosia, Cyprus
phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
email: info@cypriaauctions.com