Cleopatra (1888)

"Cleopatra (1888)" by John William Waterhouse

John William Waterouse known for his scenes of Greek mythology, also did several paintings of Roman history. The Cleopatra is one of the most popular paintings of John William Waterhouse. Constantly a woman of mystery in his imagination, people have never completely agreed on whether Cleopatra was more alluring due to her brilliance or beauty. In this painting, Waterhouse has managed to intertwine these two traits of hers. He depicts a woman of great power and intensity, and her sexuality and intelligence are both on display in this art. Cleopatra reclines among her elegance and fineries, revealing very little skin but still displaying her body seductively. The most striking aspect of this painting is Cleopatra's eyes. The energy that exudes from her expression is magnificent: she looks very aggressive yet so charming and captivating.

It is almost impossible to look away from her eyes and face. For sure, Waterhouse's handling of this painting was quite effective and diverse. He delicately rendered her hair and carefully shaded her skin but used broad, rough strokes on the belt and wall: creating an outstanding texture of the gold. Another look at the painting reveals duality in Cleopatra's pose — one hand rests on the nearby lion statue while the other bends at her waist. This creates an agitated and impatient look, lending a new perspective to her expression. As much as Cleopatra's attributes and legacy are hard to discern, she is portrayed as a woman of great authority and force. This painting creates an entirely new perspective about Cleopatra in a manner no other painting has.

Color Changing Fine Art Print
Painter: John William Waterhouse
Composition by: EFX Gallery
© 2022 EFX™ Gallery

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