16th Large Marble Head Of Alexander The Great Italian Renaissance

Large marble male head depicting what is believed to be a portrait of Alexander the Great. Italy, 16th century.
During the Renaissance, the myth of the Macedonian leader experienced an extraordinary rediscovery, and his iconography became a model for sovereigns, nobles, and collectors of the time. Ancient Roman sculptures were copied (which in turn were derived from the Greek originals by Lysippos, Alexander’s official sculptor). For example, famous Renaissance variations drew inspiration from the iconography of the so-called “Dying Alexander” or from the idealized colossal heads found in Roman and Florentine collections (such as the 16th-century porphyry copy housed at Poggio Imperiale).
A striking detail of the heads of Alexander is the slight tilt of his head: this physical trait was accentuated by the sculptor Lysippos, rather than concealed, because it drew the gaze upward and conveyed the idea of a ruler in direct contact with the gods or likened to the sun god, Helios. Our bust features a slight tilt of the neck, and its thick, wavy hair resembles that of the famous military leader. The interpretation is typical of the sixteenth century and follows Michelangelo’s model, according to which, to infuse “life” and pathos into the white marble, it was necessary to simulate the pupils to give the statue a lively, profound, and psychologically charged gaze.
Good condition, with signs of age and previous restorations.

Dimensions
Head height: 26 cm
Height with pedestal: 36 cm
Max. width: 20 cm

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