Artwork
Cleopatra
Cleopatra is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Younger. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created around 1550 by Lucas Cranach the Younger, depicts a reclining female figure identified as Cleopatra by the labeled pyramid in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The work represents Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen, in a relaxed pose on a bed, wearing a loose dress and holding a small object, conveying a sense of intimacy and serenity.
Technique & Style
Cranach employed chiaroscuro, using light and shadow to create a smooth, rounded appearance, characteristic of the northern Renaissance style.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection, exemplifying the artistic traditions of the northern Renaissance, as practiced by Lucas Cranach the Younger, son of Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Younger (German: Lucas Cranach der Jüngere, IPA: ; 4 October 1515 – 25 January 1586) was a German Renaissance painter and portraitist, the son of Lucas Cranach the Elder and brother of Hans Cranach.
