Alexander the Great

Possibly Hungarian private collection.[1] Unknown collection, Vienna, in 1922.[2] (E. & A. Silberman, Vienna).[3] (Jacques Seligmann et Cie., Paris and New York) by January 1927;[4] sold 28 December 1927 to Therese K. [Mrs. Herbert N.] Straus, New York; gift 1956 to NGA. [1] No direct documentation has been found. The Hungarian collection is first mentioned by Leo Planiscig, “Andrea del Verrocchios Alexander Relief,” _Jahrbuch der Kunsthistorischen Sammlungen in Wien_, n.s. VII (1933): 89-96. Hanns Swarzenski, in a report inscribed 1/31/1945, refers to the “lack of history before 1923. Mysterious provenance in Hungary. Sponsorship in the first instance by a Hungarian dealer..." A slightly later report by Charles Seymour quotes Swarzenski as commenting that “ the dealer Silberman, an Hungarian himself, told me that he discovered the piece walled in in an Hungarian castle.” (copies, NGA curatorial files). [2] In a letter dated 13 September 1927, Wilhelm von Bode wrote to the dealer Seligmann that in 1922 the relief was in Vienna; in that year Bode had received, through Prof. Suida in Vienna, a photograph of it with the upper corners broken off. (Jacques Seligmann et. Cie Papers, Archives of American Art, Box no. 210/folder 5, copies NGA curatorial files). The Viennese location may refer to possession by the dealers E. & A. Silberman. See note 1. [3] After the relief was purchased by Mrs. Straus, she was contacted by A. Silberman, who referred to the relief as having been in his firm’s possession (letter dated 15 January 1938, Jacques Seligmann et. Cie Papers, Archives of American Art, Box no. 210/folder 5, copies NGA curatorial files). See note 1. [4] Correspondence concerning the relief between Seligmann and Soloman Reinach from January 1927 (Jacques Seligmann et. Cie Papers, Archives of American Art, Box no. 210/folder 5, copies NGA curatorial files).