Surviving but wounded, Porus (4th century BC), King of Pauava in present-day Punjab, is seen on the left hand side of the picture being dragged before Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). After the Battle of the Hydaspes, now Jhelum, in 326BC, the life of the conquered King Porus lay in Alexander’s hands. Alexander can be seen on his horse, recognisable by his impressive plumed helmet. Alexander asked Porus how he was to be treated. “As a king,” replied Porus. According to the Roman historian Quintus Curtius Rufus (1st century AD), Alexander saw this reply as the expression of a noble spirit. Consequently, he installed Porus as a satrap, i.e. a provincial governor, of an area even greater than the realm that Porus had ruled hitherto.
Charles le Brun (1619-90), court artist to the French King Louis XIV (1638-1715) painted a series of battle scenes in which Alexander the Great is the central character. After the death of le Brun, graphic reproductions of the paintings were so much in demand among collectors that they continued to be made in various sizes. Thorvaldsen had in his collection altogether four of the six scenes in Bernard Picard’s version (inv. nos. E305-E308).
Le Brun pinx. / B. Picard direx / la vertu plaist quoy que vaincuë / Alexandre n'est pas seulement touché decompassion en voyant la grandeur d'ame du Ron / Porus qu'il avaincu, et fait son prisonnier, mais il lui donne des marques honnorables de son estime en le / recevant au nombre de ses amis, et en luy donnant ensuite un plus grand Royaume que celuy qu'il avoit perdu. / Sic virtus et victa placet / Pori Regis victi, captique magnanimitatem non misercordia modo, sed honore prosequitur / Aleander, Illumque inamicorum numerum recipit mox donat ampliore regno / A Paris chez Crepy rue S.t Jacques a S.t Pierre
