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Notes
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Alexander the Great, the Macedonian emperor, visits the distraught family of King Darius III of Persia, who he has defeated in battle. Darius’s mother Sisigambis mistakes Alexander’s friend Hephaestion, who wears plate armour and an orange cloak, for the victor. Alexander comforts Sisigambis, who calls on him to be merciful to Darius’s wife and children. Alexander insists that the family be treated as royalty and retain their finery. It’s likely that Veronese was commissioned to make this painting by the Venetian Pisani family, who continued to own it until it was purchased in 1857 by the National Gallery. It has often been assumed that The Family of Darius is a glorified Pisani family portrait, but this is unlikely as the faces reappear in other unrelated paintings by Veronese.
Title
The Family of Darius before Alexander
Date
1565-7
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 236.2 x W 474.9 cm
Accession number
NG294
Acquisition method
Bought, 1857
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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