Alexander and his Doctor
- Artist: Eustache Le Sueur
- Date: about 1648-9
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is "Alexander and his Doctor" painted in the late 17th century. It's a great example of Eustache Le Sueur's skill as a painter, who was one of the founders of the Académie Royale.
The scene depicts Alexander the Great lying on a bed drinking medicine from Philip, his doctor. However, Philip has been accused of treachery in a letter that he is reading aloud to Alexander and their companions. They're all waiting with bated breath for the truth to come out. It's a great moment of tension in this painting.
You'll notice how Alexander looks at Philip with a mixture of trust and concern on his face. This is a testament to Le Sueur's ability to capture human emotions through his art. And if you look closely, there's an elderly man on the right-hand side of the painting who seems to be staring straight out at us.
The shield hanging above Alexander's bed is a great reminder of his military successes as a leader of Greece and beyond. It's a beautiful example of how Le Sueur wove historical accuracy into his art.
This painting was likely commissioned by Jérôme de Nouveau, a French government minister, for his Paris residence in the 1640s. And it's had quite a journey since then - it used to be part of the Orléans collection, and even spent some time in England before coming here to us today.
Overall, "Alexander and his Doctor" is an incredible painting that showcases Le Sueur's mastery of composition, light, and emotion.
See it in person
Alexander and his Doctor hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
