The Wedding of Alexander and Roxana

About this work

This painting shows a dramatic scene with lots of people dressed in flowing robes. A woman in gold cloth stands center, holding a child. To her left, another woman lies on a couch, half-covered by a red curtain. In the background, a city with columns and people working appears through an open doorway. The colors are warm—gold, red, and earthy browns—with sharp contrasts between light and dark. The red curtain looks almost like a giant wing, adding to the sense of movement. The woman on the couch seems to be resting or waiting, while the standing woman looks like she’s in charge. The city in the background looks like a stage set, with tiny figures going about their business. If you like this kind of busy, emotional scene, look up Baroque.