2-982-265 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Goodwood Races - Goodwood Prize Cup - Battle between Alexander and Darius, 1858. Horse-racing trophy '...manufactured by Mr. Hancock, of Bruton-street...The form is elegant, the body of the tankard swelling out in beautiful proportions, bulb-like in the centre, while it springs from a base which is made to exceed the circumference of its centre by a highly-elaborated continuation of the subject represented on the cup itself...worked out in high relief, with masterly execution...[is] the battle of Alexander and Darius...from Le Brun's grand pictures...the figure of Alexander advancing in the full impulse of a charge, and, pushing his way through the throng of combatants to where Darius, aloft in his chariot, throwing down his useless bow, turns his horses to flee, is admirably animated and vigorous. The eagle flying over the conqueror's head at once leads to and denotes the victory. The confusion of the battle, the triumph, and the defeat, are each marked out by various groups, all in high relief. The chariots and...the spears of the advancing hosts, as they come up in serried ranks, the melee of combatants, the wounded and the dying, all the majesty and terrors of war, are elaborated with great skill'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.