François Verdier

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François Verdier
1651-1730
Scene from the Life of Alexander the Great,
ca. 1700
Black chalk with white chalk on paper.
6 1/4 x 11 1/8 inches (159 x 283 mm)
The Joseph F. McCrindle Collection.
2009.368
Notes: 

The attribution to Verdier was first noted by Monroe Warshaw, who discovered the drawing among the Italian school when the Morgan's collection was first digitized in 2015. The sheet is one from a series of 106 drawings by Verdier devoted to the life and exploits of Alexander the Great which he likely began after 1699.
This scene shows Alexander, at left, giving guidance to his troops. In the background, the presence of ships suggest they have recently arrived at the coast of what is meant to be Asia. The same background, with a bay surrounded by a rocky landscape with scattered structures and a foreground clearing with trees, occurs in several scenes, as do the soldiers and horses.

Provenance: 
Joseph F. McCrindle (1923-2008), New York.
Associated names: 

McCrindle, Joseph F., former owner.

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