This work of enamel and gold on copper has very small dimensions. However, it is as detailed as a much larger painting. The technique of “grisaille” (painting in black and gray) makes the figures resemble stone sculptures. The subject of the work is the emperor Alexander the Great (born in 356 b.c.e., died in 321 b.c.e.). In 331 b.c.e., Alexander travelled to Egypt, and laid out the site of the future city of Alexandria. When he visited the priests of Ammon-Zeus, a Greco-Egyptian god, one of the priests called Alexander the “son of Zeus.” In this scene, the emperor shows them his appreciation.
