Lysippos was the only artist authorized to make Alexander's image. He wanted to convey Alexander's arete (virtue) and ethos (personal character).
Early Portraiture
During the Hellenistic period, art became a propaganda tool used by various rulers to convey their personality. In order to gain respect from their people, these rulers had themselves depicted in certain ways to reaffirm their power and status. Alexander the Great knew the potential of these images, and commissioned Lysippos to create portraits of him. Lysippos was the only artist authorized to make Alexander’s image. Not only did he want to convey Alexander’s arete (virtues of society), Lysippos also wanted to depict his ethos (personal character). Two works of art demonstrating the Lysippan style include the Azara Herm and the Statue of Alexander with a Lance.The Azara Herm contains all the typical characteristics of a Lysippan prototype:
- turn of the neck
- slightly parted lips
- aspiring glance
- the anastole (flip of the hair)
These features separated Alexander the Great from previous rulers. They were new, innovative and engaging.
The Statue of Alexander is designed to represent the idea of political power. Here, the power radiates from Alexander himself.
Later Portraits
Later portraits of Alexander stressed his importance as a hero. This can be seen especially in coin portraiture. Here, Alexander was represented as Herakles (issued by Alexander in 325 B.C.E.) Herakles was a hero, and he embodied the virtues Alexander wanted to be associated with: strength, determination and willpower.
Portraits of Alexander the Great After his Death
After his death, Alexander portraiture became more widespread. Now he was seen as a divine ruler, and was often associated with gods such as Zeus. In a coin depicting him with the horns of Zeus Ammon, he was shown as the son of Zeus himself. Portraits of Alexander also became good luck charms during this time as well. During the Hellenistic era, the Greeks became obsessed with fortune and luck.
Paintings
Only one artist was allowed to depict Alexander - Apelles (a court painter). Only descriptions survive of Apelles work, but he also conveyed Alexander as a divine ruler. One of his most famous works showed Alexander holding a thunderbolt (like Zeus). A roman copy of this painting survives.
More on Lysippos
Lysippos was one of the most influential artists of the Hellenistic period. He developed his own canon by creating a unique set of proportions that would characterize his work. This included:
- detailed hair
- smaller heads
- slender bodies
- wanted statues to look taller
- statues have no single point of view
- statues should fill viewer with emotion
Lysippos was one of the first artists to fully capture character and personally through sculpture.
