18th century NAPOLITAN school, workshop of Francesco... Lot 48

18th century NAPOLITAN school, workshop of Francesco de MURA The mother of Darius before Alexander the Great and Hephaestion Original canvas 18th century Neapolitan school, Studio of F. de Mura, Sisygambis, the mother of Darius, confusing Hephaestion with Alexander the Great, original canvas 76,5 x 63 cm - 30,1 x 24,8 in. Francesco de Mura made several "bozzeti" depicting episodes from the life of Alexander, probably for the Royal Tapestry Factory in Naples. This is a revival of a bozzeto set around 1755 (See the exhibition catalogue In the light of Naples, the Art of Francesco de Mura; Cat. dir. by Arthur R. Blumenthal, 2016-2017 fig. 86 p. 182). Several biographers relate that after the defeat of Darius III, the last Achaemenid king, the women of his kin were brought before the tent of Alexander the Great. The mother of Darius, mistaking Alexander's companion, Hephesteion, for Alexander himself, paid him homage and then, realizing her mistake, became confused, but Alexander the Great, keeping his composure, showed indulgence towards her.