Livre des fais d'Alexandre le grant
'Artist/Maker: Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century) Quintus Curtius Rufus (Roman, active 1st century A.D.)
Vasco da Lucena (Portuguese, died 1512) and Jean du Quesne (French, active 1473 - 1474)
Culture: French and Flemish
Place: Bruges (illuminated) Belgium Lille (written) France (Place created)
Date: c. 1470 - 1475
Medium: Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment bound between wood boards covered with red velvet; two engraved brass clasps
Dimensions: Leaf: 43.2 × 33 cm (17 × 13 in.)
The Getty Museum's imposing manuscript of Portuguese humanist Vasco da Lucena's Book of the Deeds of Alexander the Great is the product of the interest in classical antiquity that characterized Renaissance humanism. The text is a French translation (Livre des fais d'Alexandre le grant), completed in 1468, of a biography of the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great by the first-century Roman writer Quintus Curtius Rufus. In this manuscript's text and miniatures, Alexander is presented as a complex figure, a man capable of bravery and good judgment but also subject to human foibles. Both the positive and negative lessons of Alexander's story were considered valuable for a Renaissance prince and military leader such as Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, to whom Vasco dedicated his text. ' The Getty Museum Collection
Vasco da Lucena Giving his Work to Charles the Bold
Vasco da Lucena Giving his Work to Charles the Bold; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Bruges (illuminated), Belgium; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 2v
The Birth of Alexander
The Birth of Alexander; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 15
Alexander's Illness at the Cydnus River and the Death of Sisinnes
Alexander's Illness at the Cydnus River and the Death of Sisinnes; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 41
Alexander Attacks the City of Tyre
Alexander Attacks the City of Tyre; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 61
The Competition in Sittacene and the Placating of Sisigambis
The Competition in Sittacene and the Placating of Sisigambis; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Bruges (illuminated), Belgium; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 99
Alexander and the Niece of Artaxerxes III
Alexander and the Niece of Artaxerxes III; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 123
Bagoas Pleads on Behalf of Nabarzanes
Bagoas Pleads on Behalf of Nabarzanes; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 × 33 cm (17 × 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 133v
Alexander Orders the Destruction of His Army's Excess Baggage
Alexander Orders the Destruction of His Army's Excess Baggage; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 135v
The Execution of Philotas
The Execution of Philotas; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Bruges (illuminated), Belgium; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 149
The Founding of Alexandria-in-Caucaso
The Founding of Alexandria-in-Caucaso; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 156v
Alexander Fights with a Lion and Kills Clitus
Alexander Fights with a Lion and Kills Clitus; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 175
Alexander Fights in the Town of the Sudracae
Alexander Fights in the Town of the Sudracae; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Bruges (illuminated), Belgium; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 204
Orsines Presents a Gift to Alexander and the Execution of Orsines
Orsines Presents a Gift to Alexander and the Execution of Orsines; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 × 33 cm (17 × 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 226
The Death of Parmenion
The Death of Parmenion; Master of the Jardin de vertueuse consolation and assistant (Flemish, active 3rd quarter of 15th century); Lille (written), France; about 1470 - 1475; Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 43.2 x 33 cm (17 x 13 in.); Ms. Ludwig XV 8, fol. 154