Alexander The Great Art Analysis

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Throughout history, monumental sculpture and paintings have been utilized to elevate political figures to a heroic status. Known for their leadership, charisma, and determination, Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.E.) and George Washington (1732-1799) are two such individuals. On the one hand, Alexander the Great was the Macedonian military general who is credited with conquering Persia and ruling the empire during the fourth century B.C.E. On the other hand, George Washington was a successful Revolutionary War general, as well as the first president of the United States of America. Though created centuries apart, The Alexander Mosaic from the House of Faun by an unknown artist and Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, depict these leaders and immortalized them in art that reflects the political, historical, and cultural context of the time.
The Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun, discovered in Pompeii, Italy, exemplifies the ability of art to document a ruler’s rise to power. This work, dating around 100 B.C.E., measures 8 feet 11 inches by 16 feet 9 inches. It is an intricate and ornate floor mosaic consisting of tiny colored tiles and is a copy of an original panel from the Hellenistic era. Presenting a scene from the Battle of Issus, the work shows Alexander the Great dressed in contemporary battle armor,
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This oil on canvas painting measures an impressive 12 feet high by 21 feet long. Depicting the critical moment during the American Revolution in December of 1776, General Washington rallied his troops to fight against the English and the Hessians by leading them across the Delaware River. Traveling in a long boat, the rowers struggle to break up the icy waters. Led by Washington, they were determined to join the army to defend themselves at the Battle of Trenton. This painting commemorates the grand status of the Founding Father of the United