No. 22. Alexander Worshipping at the Altar of Jupiter. Paolo Cagliari, Called Paolo Veronese. Born 1532. Died 1588. The mind of Alexander became very weak as he grew old. . . . An oracle from Jupiter Ammon, however, commanding that Hephaestion should be revered as a demi-god, mitigated his grief, and on the reception of a second oracle "he gave a truce to his sorrows and employed himself in festive sacrifices and entertainments." This picture probably represents the reception of one of these oracles, Alexander, arrayed in the peculiar costume which he adopted after his conquest of Parthia, kneels with great devotion near the statue of Jupiter, while Roxana, with characteristic intrigue, endeavors to influence the oracle by motioning to an attendant who is at the side of the priest. Statira, the daughter of Daius and Statira, whom Alexander married, and who was murdered by Roxana after his death, kneels on the right, at the foot of the statue. She is here represented with her young brother and sister and the infant of darius, which was born when Statira, the mother died, some time before. . . . [Pp. 28-29; entry includes a biography of the artist and portions of the myth.]
Pupil of Tintoretto.
A Catalogue of Paintings in the Gallery of John C. Henderson, Linden Lawn, Staten Island. New-York: W.C. Bryant & Co., Printers, 41 Nassau Street, corner Liberty. 1860.
