Alexander and Diogenes
1769
Francesco Fontebasso's energetic 1769 sketch captures the legendary meeting between Alexander the Great and the philosopher Diogenes with swirling, loose lines typical of the Rococo style. You can almost feel the drama as the powerful conqueror, decked out in plumed armor, approaches the ragged thinker lounging casually on the ground. Legend has it that when Alexander asked what he could do for Diogenes, the philosopher simply replied, 'Stand out of my light!' It's a perfect snapshot of ancient wit rendered with 18th-century Italian flair.
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