Alexander de Grote loopt niet mee tijdens de Olympische Spelen c. 1655 - 1665

Leonaert Bramer's "Alexander de Grote loopt niet mee tijdens de Olympische Spelen" (c. 1655-1665) depicts a scene of a group of athletes engaged in a race outside of a grand building with a classical facade. This pen and ink drawing, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a playful commentary on the story of Alexander the Great, who famously refused to compete in the Olympic games out of respect for the event. Bramer, a prominent Dutch artist known for his historical and mythological subjects, skillfully captures the athleticism of the runners, the architectural grandeur, and the implied narrative through the dynamic composition and nuanced details. The drawing is a testament to Bramer's masterful draftsmanship and understanding of the human form, and his keen eye for historical detail.