Alexander the Great taming Bucephalus

Benjamin Robert Haydon painted Alexander the Great Taming Bucephalus in 1826, depicting the legendary episode in which the young Alexander mastered the wild horse that no one else could ride. Haydon was obsessed with the grand manner of history painting and believed that monumental subjects drawn from ancient history represented the highest achievement of art, a conviction that drove his ambitious but often tragic career.

The painting showcases Haydon's considerable anatomical knowledge, with both the human figure and the rearing horse rendered with dynamic energy. The vigorous composition and strong modeling of form reflect his passionate advocacy for the study of the Elgin Marbles.