The Battle of Alexander at Issus

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The Battle of Alexander at Issus, known by various similar titles such as Battle of Alexander, Battle of Issus etc. is Albrecht Altdorfer's (c. 1480 -1538) most famous painting. The oil-on-canvas depicts the Battle of Issus, and Alexander the Great's victory of Darius III of Persia in 333 BC.

The piece. It was commissioned by the Duke of Bavaria and passed from the Bavarian royal collection to the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Detail of Alexander the Great in the battle. Each soldier is well-detailed and unique, despite their number.

Enhanced detail of the setting sun. The sky is a major part of the painting, because of the "cosmic dimensions"often attached connotatively to battle.
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