“The Battle of Alexander at Issues” by Albrecht Altdorfer
Introduction To The Piece
This beautiful piece of art known as, “The Battle of Alexander at Issues” ,painted in 1529 by the famous German artist known as Albrecht Altdorfer. He was commissioned to draw the battler between Darius and Alexander The Great by the Duke of Bavaria. It’s a great piece that shows off a great example of a world landscape painting that also shows off a grand battle in this marvelous landscape.
What “The Battle of Alexander at Issues” is portraying
As the duke probably wanted the piece was to have a painting showing the west power against one of history greatest empire in history the Persian Empire. It’s rendition of the pivotal battle that allowed Alexander to lead his conquest through Persia. This piece captivates how this was the start of the fall of the Persian empire to Alexander.
My View On “The Battle of Alexander at Issues”
Personally I enjoy this piece a lot and didn’t expect myself to be writing about for my blog. I originally thought I would stick to the artist I know like the famous 4 artist that inspired the name of a certain group of turtles I grew up watching. Although that was my plan I figured that I should look at some more northern renaissance art since I wasn’t as familiar with their artist and saw this piece and was amazed right at first glance.
This one painting pack so much detail into every single part of it. No matter where I look I can always find something that is just a sight to behold. Like the setting sun and the rising of the moon being a beautiful sight of symmetry between the two. or the Nile river of Egypt in background or what the painting was commissioned show King Darius retreating from Alexander the Great. In my opinion you could break up parts of this paining and each part could be a great painting of it’s own just by how much detail and care went into every single part of this painting. Also It’s an interesting perspective I found my eyes looking over the great battle as my eyes are drawn to the message descending from the sky which learned is even the heavens believe in Alexander and the west that they wish to see victory against the Persian empire. Personally I would love to get a printed piece of this painting just so I can have an even better look at everything this painting shows.
Sources
http://www.all-art.org/history230-10-2.html
https://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/altdorfer/battle-issus/
https://study.com/academy/lesson/altdorfers-the-battle-of-alexander-at-issus-subject-style.html
Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, “Albrecht Altdorfer, The Battle of Issus,” in Smarthistory, December 9, 2015, accessed February 17, 2020,
Vince's art blog 
I think this is an amazing piece of artwork you found. I am blown away by the detail Albrecht Altorfe portraid in “The Battle of Alexander at Issues”. I did find it interesting that the painting is depicting Alexanders victory over Darius in 333 B.C., but if you look closely you see the soldiers are equipped with 16th century weapons and armor. The fine details in the painting of the soldiers is amazing and shows the great depth of talent of the artist. Very nice.
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