Raphael. Marriage of Alexander and Roxana. Study for Villa Farnesina. 1510s. Albertina, Vienna

The scene shows the seated Roxana being attended to by cupids while Alexander approaches from the center, extending a crown towards her. To the right, a group of putti play with Alexander’s discarded spear and armor, a visual metaphor for the transition from war to love. The composition is a preparatory study for a fresco in the bedroom of Agostino Chigi at the Villa Farnesina.

This work is a Renaissance reconstruction of a lost ancient painting by Aetion, based entirely on a written description (ekphrasis) by the 2nd-century author Lucian of Samosata. It represents the humanist effort to revive classical antiquity and the Neoplatonic theme of the harmony between Mars (strength/war) and Venus (beauty/love).