Alexander in the Studio of Apelles

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Salvator Rosa most likely intended this large print as a companion to his The Genius of Salvator Rosa (2002.463). It shows a story from the Roman author Pliny of how Alexander the Great was humbled and mocked by the famous Greek painter Apelles. As the inscription describes, in the studio Alexander made many uninformed comments, and Apelles advised him to be silent, saying that the boys engaged in grinding colors were laughing at him. Like Apelles, Rosa had no qualms about declaring his superiority over his patrons. This anecdote was therefore a natural choice for the confident and headstrong Rosa, who wished to spread his reputation as a rebellious artist.

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