Alexander's wedding with Roxana, a Persian princess

The rectangular artwork depicts Alexander's wedding with Roxana, a Persian princess according to Rafael. In 327 BC Alexander the Great married Roxana after he had subjugated all of Bactria and Sogdiana to himself. The wedding was to strengthen the Macedonian king's rule in Persia. In the right part of the print, there is a young maiden sitting on an ornate bed, holding her feet on a footstool, surrounded by cupids, one of whom adjusts her hairdo. On the left, there is standing Alexander holding a crown in his left hand and handing it to the bride. There are cupids around them, whereas the background shows two arched windows with a Corinthian-style colonnade beside. The windows overlook landscape featuring ancient architecture. Caption: Mariage d'Alexandre et de Roxane. It was acquired from the collection of the Potocki family of Łańcut in 1944. Mixed material and technique (paper, copperplate, etching). Made in 19th century. Drawing by A.Coypel, engraving by B. Picard / France.

Cyprian Biernat