PINO, Marco
(b. ca. 1525, Costa del Pino, Siena, d. ca. 1587, Napoli)

Scenes from the Life of Alexander the Great

1545-47
Fresco
Sala Paolina, Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome

The six scenes of the Alexander cycle on the ceiling continues on the five large areas of the long walls. The scenes are:

1. Alexander the Great Places the Iliad in a Precious Casket

2. Alexander the Great Cuts the Gordian Knot

3. The Family of Darius before Alexander the Great

4. Alexander the Great Reconciles Two Soldiers

5. Alexander the Great Erects Altars

The picture shows the central painting of the long wall, the scene Alexander the Great Cuts the Gordian Knot. It relates to Alexander's domination of the world. The Oracle prophesied that he who could undo this knot would became lord of Asia and of the entire world.