This artwork, by the Flemish artist Gaspar de Crayer (c. 1584–1669), re-creates a famous encounter between two famous figures from the history of ancient Greece. Standing at the center of the canvas is Alexander the Great, the famous king of Macedonia (r. 336 to 323 BCE), depicted at a time before he set out on his renowned campaign to conquer the Persian Achaemenid Empire and parts of India. Opposite of him, sitting on the ground, is Diogenes “the Cynic” of Sinope, one of the most peculiar philosophers to have graced this earth.
Alexander and Diogenes were said to have met each other in Athens or Corinth, where an odd encounter allegedly ensued. According to legend, Alexander—an admirer of Diogenes and his philosophy—tried to strike up a conversation with the man and offered him anything the philosopher might desire. Diogenes’ dismissive response to the king’s offer became legendary. The scene was recorded by Arrian (c. 90-173+), a Roman general and scholar who wrote a biography of Alexander’s life:
“[Alexander] was marching somewhere in the Isthmus with a contingent of Guards and infantry Companions, and chancing to see Diogenes lying in the sun, he stopped and asked him if there was anything he wanted. ‘Nothing,’ replied the philosopher; ‘though I should be grateful if you and your friends would move to one side, and not keep the sun off me’ (Anabasis, 7.2).
It is this scene that is re-created in Gaspar de Crayer’s artwork. It shows Alexander the Great and his entourage crowding around Diogenes and offering him anything he might wish. The artwork likely captures the moment in which Diogenes responded that all he wanted was for Alexander to stop blocking the sunlight.
Written by C. Keith Hansley
Sources:
- The Campaigns of Alexander by Arrian, translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt. New York: Penguin Classics, 1971.
- https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436048
