Alexander de Grote weigert het water te drinken dat zijn soldaten hem aanbieden c. 1655 - 1665

Leonaert Bramer's "Alexander de Grote weigert het water te drinken dat zijn soldaten hem aanbieden" is a 17th-century drawing depicting a scene from the life of Alexander the Great. This work, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, shows a moment where the famous ruler refuses a drink of water offered to him by his soldiers. The scene is set in a landscape with a group of soldiers, some mounted on horseback, and is drawn in a realistic style typical of the Dutch Golden Age. Bramer, a prolific artist known for his historical and biblical scenes, captures the moment with detail and emotion. The drawing's use of delicate lines and light wash creates a sense of depth and dynamism, characteristic of Bramer's work. This piece offers insight into historical depictions in art and highlights the masterful use of pen and ink in Dutch art of the period.