Who painted Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86)?

Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86) was painted by Unknown in 1605.

Where can I see Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86)?

Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86) is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86)?

Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86) is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86)

Unknown , 1605

Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86) is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1605 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw. The canvas depicts a seated female figure, her right arm raised and left arm resting on a table.

About this work

Overview

She is nude, draped in a red and gold mantle over her left shoulder, and adorned with a gold necklace and earrings.

The canvas depicts a seated female figure, her right arm raised and left arm resting on a table. She is nude, draped in a red and gold mantle over her left shoulder, and adorned with a gold necklace and earrings. Two serpents coil around each arm, while a crown, a clock and a small round box lie on the table before her. The background recedes into a dark gradient, lending depth to the tranquil scene.

Subject & Meaning

The composition references the legendary death of Cleopatra, as recounted by Plutarch. The calm expression and upward gaze suggest a moment of resignation or transcendence, while the entwining snakes evoke the asp traditionally associated with her suicide. The inclusion of regal and temporal objects—crown and clock—may allude to the convergence of power and mortality in the queen’s final act.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the work employs a limited palette of deep shadows and luminous highlights to model the figure’s skin and the reflective surfaces of jewelry. The drapery’s red and gold tones contrast with the dark backdrop, creating a focal point. Soft modeling and subtle gradations give the scene a contemplative atmosphere, while the precise rendering of the snakes demonstrates careful observation of texture.

History & Provenance

The painting is titled "Death of Cleopatra (Plutarch XLIV, 86)" and is identified as an oil on canvas. No further details about its creation date, artist, or ownership history are provided in the source material, limiting the ability to trace its provenance or situate it within a specific artistic movement.