Family of Darius before Alexander
Medium
Black chalk heightened with white chalk, on brown laid paper, tipped onto ivory laid paper
Dimensions
12.5 × 14.8 cm (4 15/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
Classification
chalk
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
82375
Art Historical Context
In the Prints and Drawings department of the Art Institute of Chicago resides a delicate preparatory drawing, *Family of Darius before Alexander*, by Venetian Rococo artist Giovanni Battista Pittoni the younger (1687–1767). This undated work captures a pivotal moment from ancient history: after defeating Persian king Darius III, Alexander the Great encounters his vanquished foe's family, showcasing the conqueror's legendary mercy and humanity. Pittoni, known for his dynamic compositions and theatrical lighting inspired by masters like Paolo Veronese—who painted a grand version of the same scen...