Alexander and Pythia in the temple

This painting is an example of the great interest in depictions of ancient myths in the 18th century.
When Alexander the Great was planning his Persian campaign, he went to Delphi and asked the seer Pythia for advice. But Pythia put him off, saying that the oracle could only be consulted at times determined by the gods. Unwilling to wait, he forcibly led Pythia into the temple, where she simply cried out: "Let me go, you are invincible!" To which Alexander replied: "I was hoping for that answer," and let her go. The painter has constructed this legend in a theatrical and stage-like manner, setting the scenes in the temple courtyard and highlighting the two main figures and the temple priest. In an almost apologetic gesture, Alexander turns to the enraged old priest. On the right of the picture is a young bull decorated with flowers, which is probably to be sacrificed on Alexander's behalf as a thank you for the advice.