“This copperplate-printed cotton fabric vividly depicts a scene from the life of Alexander the Great, transforming a historical narrative into a detailed and decorative textile for the home.”
This cotton fabric, printed with a copper plate, brings to life a dramatic scene from the life of Alexander the Great. The intricate design, rendered in a single color, invites close inspection to unravel the narrative. We see Alexander, identifiable by his helmet and commanding presence, engaged in a pivotal moment of his legendary story. The dense composition, typical of furnishing fabrics from this period, would have transformed a room into a visual feast, offering endless details to discover. The technique of copperplate printing allowed for fine lines and rich tonal variations, creating an effect akin to an engraved illustration but on a soft, pliable textile. This piece not only served a decorative purpose but also brought classical history into the domestic sphere, reflecting an enduring fascination with ancient heroes and their epic tales.
- Artist
- Favre-Petitpierre et cie
- Medium
- Medium: cotton Technique: printed by engraved copper plate on plain weave
- Location
- Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
- Dimensions
- Warp x Weft: 74 x 92 cm (29 1/8 x 36 1/4 in.)
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Locate Alexander the Great by his distinctive helmet and central position.
Observe the detailed architecture and classical ruins in the background.
Notice the various figures, some in battle, others in repose, around Alexander.
See how the single color printing creates depth and texture in the fabric.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through L'histoire d'Alexandre — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Favre-Petitpierre et cie
French textile firm that turned cotton yardage into narrative art, printing Homer and Napoleon onto your curtains.
Further Works by cie
Cortes
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
La danseuse de corde
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
La foire du Caire
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
La Mort de Didon
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Neptune, ou la maitrise des mers
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
"Venus à sa Toilette"
1770 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
"Battle between the Héros and the Superb"
1778 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
"La Maison Brulante"
1780 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
