Diogenes in His Tub with Alexande and His Generals 1810

Carl Russ's 1810 engraving, "Diogenes in His Tub with Alexander and His Generals," depicts a scene from the life of the ancient Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes. In the print, Diogenes is seen reclining inside a tub, a symbol of his simple and austere lifestyle. Alexander the Great, accompanied by his generals, stands before the philosopher, illustrating a tale of their encounter, in which Alexander famously offered to grant any wish to the philosopher, to which Diogenes replied, "Step out of my sunlight." The scene is detailed and illustrative of the contrast between a world of grandeur and power, embodied by Alexander, and the austere simplicity of Diogenes’ life.