Giant / The Dying Alexander

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The identification of this head as a portrait of Alexander the Great originates from Plutarch's writings, which state that only Lysippos was authorized to create a likeness of him, and depicted him "with leonine hair and melting upturned eyes". The interpretation that Alexander is shown in his final moments showcases the Renaissance fascination with finding ancient historical illustrations in classical sculpture; the expression and pose are more intense than those typically found in portraits. The style of this work justifies attributing its origin to the last period of Greek art preceding the Alexandrine era, linking it to the schools of Rhodes and Pergamon, alongside masterpieces like Laocoon and The Dying Gaul.