Artwork
Alexander and Diogenes
Alexander and Diogenes is a print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1965.542
- Credit line
- Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Prasse Collection
About this work
You see a picture of Alexander the Great standing over Diogenes, who's sitting in a barrel. The scene is simple, with clean lines and basic shapes. This print was part of a series called Ancient History, which is interesting because it shows how people in the 19th century thought about ancient stories. Look up the museum: The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Overview
Alexander and Diogenes is a print published in the French newspaper Le Charivari on August 14, 1842, as part of a series titled Ancient History.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Alexander the Great standing over Diogenes, who is seated in a barrel, illustrating a famous anecdote from ancient history where Alexander encounters the Cynic philosopher.
Technique & Style
Characterized by clean lines and basic shapes, the composition is simple and unadorned, reflecting a straightforward illustrative style.
Context
As part of the Ancient History series, this print offers insight into 19th-century interpretations and representations of ancient narratives.
Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier (French: ; 26 February 1808 – 10 or 11 February 1879) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the…
