The Banquet Of Cleopatra 

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted “The Banquet of Cleopatra”, capturing a legendary display of opulence. Cleopatra is about to dissolve a priceless pearl in wine, a dramatic gesture of wealth. Pearls themselves have long carried symbolic weight. In ancient Rome, they were symbols of status. Further back, in ancient Egypt they were associated with purity. Cleopatra's act transcends mere extravagance, becoming a symbol of defiance against the constraints of value itself. Consider the image of pearls in Botticelli’s Venus, emblems of purity and divinity. Here, the pearl is used as a demonstration of dominance. This symbol, laden with historical and cultural associations, evolves through time, its core essence reshaped by the desires and anxieties of each era. The act of destroying something precious is a profound act, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. It echoes through history, resurfacing with new meanings.