The ceiling painting was done in 1711 by Martino Altomonte, who had trained in Italy. It shows the young Alexander the Great mounted on his horse, wearing armour, helmet and a red cloak, and accompanied by foot-soldiers. He points his general’s baton towards a town in the background, a stronghold which he conquered and re-founded as Alexandropolis. This was the first conquest of his campaign.

This painting is one of a series of ceiling paintings in several of the Residenz state-rooms, depicting the achievements of Alexander the Great. The stories are based on numerous legends and romances celebrating his successes and his virtues. Prince-Archbishop Franz Anton Harrach commissioned the works, seeking to show himself as a successor to the famous charismatic ruler and emphasising his own pre-eminence.