The Family of Darius before Alexander (recto); Sketch of a Horse-Drawn Cart, and Studies of Male Heads and an Infant (verso) 1717

Gaspare Diziani made this pen and wash drawing, "The Family of Darius before Alexander," in 18th-century Venice. It depicts a story from ancient history, specifically a moment of respectful encounter between Alexander the Great and the conquered Persian royal family. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, referencing classical history and ideas about leadership and compassion. In 18th century Venice, a cosmopolitan city with robust trade, such historical subjects were admired as a testament to virtue. Paintings like this reflect an educated elite who would have been familiar with classical literature and history. But it also catered to a public role for art at the time: a display of morality and an ideal of civic leadership. To understand the painting better, we can study how such historical scenes were represented during that time, who the patrons of the arts were, and what they expected from artists like Diziani. The meaning of art depends so much on its social and institutional context.