Diogenes visited by Alexander the Great
1738
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
About the artist
1738
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Diogenes visited by Alexander the Great is a 1738 by Benjamin West, a Baroque work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This drawing shows two men in a dim, shadowy space. One sits hunched on the ground, holding a lamp, while the other stands above him, reaching out. The lines are rough and uneven, with lots of dark shading. The faces are blurred, but the body language suggests a quiet moment between them. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to show movement and emotion. The shadows make the scene feel tense, almost like a story unfolding. The lamp the seated man holds is the only bright spot in the dark. If you like this style, look up Baroque.
A drawing depicts Diogenes receiving a visit from Alexander the Great, capturing the encounter between the philosopher and the conqueror.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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