Alexander fighting the Persians by the river Granicus

An example of the "Large Scale Production" from the reign of João V, this panel has a theatrical design within an architectural framework that simulates carved wood and masonry decorations. This creates an illusion of a stage. The main panel depicts the battle by the Granicus River between Alexander the Great and the Persians. This was part of a cycle that featured several scenes of glory where Alexander played the leading role, as a model emperor or an equal of João V, the king of Portugal.The cycle showing the battles of Alexander was very popular at this time and several tile panels are known to have been based on engravings after Charles le Brun's paintings in the collection of Louis XIV. When compared with the engraving the well-crafted liberties that the tile painter took with the original become apparent, extracting the essence, but modifying perspectives and positions of some figures, changing the attire and even repeating figures so as to fill the tile panel. Lisbon production.