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The Banquet of Alexander the Great

Domenico del Barbiere

1545

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory

Dominant colour

The Banquet of Alexander the Great is a 1545 ink by Domenico del Barbiere, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Domenico del Barbiere
When & what style?: 1545 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a crowded room where a group of people sits around a table, eating and talking. Two men stand near a window, holding a bottle and a cup, while others recline or lean on the furniture. In the background, a statue and a painting hang on the wall, and a small dog lies near the bottom edge. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, making the scene look almost three-dimensional. The mix of relaxed and active poses gives the room a lively feel. Try looking up engraving to see how artists like this one used metal plates to make prints.