Alexander the Great
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print shows a muscular man wrestling a wild bull. The man stands on a raised platform, gripping the bull’s horn with one hand while his other arm is raised. The bull rears up on its back legs, its head turned toward the man. Both figures are detailed with strong lines and shading, giving them a three-dimensional look. The text below the image calls it *Alexander the Great*, but it’s actually a print, not a sculpture. The artist carved this scene into a metal plate, then inked and pressed it onto paper—like a fancy sketch. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow for drama.
