Cleopatra 1514 - 1600

This engraving presents Cleopatra, accompanied by a weeping Cupid, and was likely made in the 16th century. Here, the serpent coiled around Cleopatra’s arm isn't merely an asp, but a profound emblem. In ancient Egypt, the serpent, or uraeus, was a symbol of divine authority, worn by pharaohs as a sign of their power and protection, thus, the snake is a symbol of life and royalty. Yet, observe how this symbol has transformed. By Cleopatra's era, and certainly by the time this print was made, the asp had become synonymous with her tragic demise. The eternal power of life becomes an instrument of death. Similarly, we see Cupid, the god of love, in a rare display of grief, covering his eyes. This gesture of covering the eyes to express shame is seen across centuries, for example, among Renaissance depictions of the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. These motifs create a powerful tension, a visual paradox that transcends time, and engage us on a deep, subconscious level as the wheel of time continues to turn.