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Nicolaas van Orley

Alexander Kneeling before Jaddus at the Gates of Jerusalem [left section], from The Story of Alexander the Great

c. 1600
Wool and silk, slit, dovetailed and double interlocking tapestry weave
251.8 × 297.5 cm (99.1 × 117.1 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Numerous Flemish tapestry sets depicting stories from the life of Alexander the Great (r. 336–323 b.c.) survive from the 16th and 17th centuries, attesting to the popularity of the subject. This scene depicts the story of Alexander’s conversion to Judaism. After successful military campaigns in Syria and Gaza, Alexander led his armies to Jerusalem to conquer the city. In a dream, God told Jaddus, the high priest of the Jews, to open the gates of the city to the conqueror. The people of Jerusalem welcomed Alexander and in turn were spared.

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