Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Alexandre et Diogène

Alexandre et Diogène, also known as the Meeting of Alexander and Diogenes, is a large marble relief sculpted by Pierre Puget in Toulon between 1671 and 1689. Commissioned by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, it was intended for the Palace of Versailles. The work shows an episode from the life of Alexander the Great, when he meets Diogenes at Corinth and asks what he needs, only to receive the reply, "Stand out of my sunlight." It is considered the largest relief in French sculpture, and its dramatic composition is characteristic of Puget’s style. The sculpture is now preserved in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Alexandre et Diogène marble relief showing Alexander on horseback facing an elderly seated philosopher with soldiers and a banner around them.
Alexandre et Diogène, a dramatic marble relief of Alexander meeting Diogenes amid soldiers and classical architecture.
August 2022 © · CC0
Alexandre et Diogène marble relief showing a mounted young figure facing an older seated man, with armed figures and a fortified city in the background.
The Alexandre et Diogène relief depicts a dramatic encounter between a mounted youthful figure and an older seated man, surrounded by soldiers and classical architecture.
August 2011 © Amaury Laporte · CC BY 2.0
Marble relief of Alexandre et Diogène showing a mounted figure, soldiers, a dog, and a seated bearded man before classical architecture.
Alexandre et Diogène, a marble relief by Pierre Puget, shown with the mounted Alexander, surrounding soldiers, and Diogenes seated in front.
December 2011 © · CC BY 4.0
Alexandre et Diogène marble relief showing an armored horseman facing a seated bearded man amid a crowded classical scene.
Alexandre et Diogène, a marble relief with a mounted armored figure confronting a seated bearded man in a busy classical composition.
· Public domain

Identification

TitleAlexandre et Diogène
Alternative titlesAlessandro e Diogene; Alejandro y Diógenes; Rencontre d'Alexandre et de Diogène
TypeRelief sculpture

Historical context

Date of creationBetween 1671 and 1689
Place of creationToulon
Commission contextMade while Puget was working on sculptures for the ships of Louis XIV's fleet under construction in Toulon

Creator

ArtistPierre Puget

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned byJean-Baptiste Colbert
Intended locationThe Palace of Versailles
Material sourceTwo unused marble blocks in the arsenal where Puget was working
Permission to use materialJean-Baptiste Colbert allowed Puget to use the two marble blocks for two compositions of his own choice, with no restriction on subject or dimensions
Related work from same materialMilon de Crotone (1671–1682, Louvre Museum) was made from the other marble block

Physical characteristics

ScaleConsidered the largest relief in French sculpture, surpassed only by François Joseph Bosio's Passage du Rhin
MaterialMarble

Appearance

StyleHighly pictorial, with depth effects, layered planes, interlocking geometric lines, and diagonals
CompositionAlexander is shown on Bucephalus; a dog appears between Bucephalus's hooves; the soldiers are treated in a way that moves away from portraiture toward caricature

Iconography and meaning

SubjectAn episode from the life of Alexander the Great: his meeting with Diogenes in Corinth
DialogueAlexander asks Diogenes what he needs; Diogenes replies, 'Stand out of my sun'
InterpretationIt may be read as a critique of royal power and as an exaltation of poverty over wealth and power, though this reading is qualified
Historical referenceLouis XIV was often compared with Alexander in the arts before being associated with the Sun
Classical referencesDiogenes evokes the Laocoön; Alexander's figure recalls portraits of Nero; the background evokes ancient architecture, especially the Temple of Mars
Possible meaning of dog detailPossibly a reference to Diogenes' nickname 'the Cynic'

Location and ownership

Current locationLouvre Museum, Paris

History and restoration

Sent to Versailles1697, after Puget's death

Significance

ImportanceConsidered one of Pierre Puget's most important works

Other

Permission significanceColbert's approval was exceptional in an era when artistic creation was mainly controlled by royal power, the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, or the guilds