De dood van Cleopatra 17th - 18th century

This is an anonymous drawing of the death of Cleopatra, which is held at the Rijksmuseum. It is rendered in muted tones of brown and grey, that capture Cleopatra in her final moments. Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, has long captured the Western imagination as an emblem of beauty, power, and tragedy. Often seen through the lens of male writers and artists, portrayals of Cleopatra's death frequently emphasize her sexuality and demise as a consequence of love and political intrigue. This drawing, while anonymous, participates in this tradition. Cleopatra’s death by suicide avoids her capture by the Romans, ensuring her legacy on her own terms. Consider how her story challenges and reinforces the complex interplay between gender, power, and representation. Is she a cautionary tale, or a figure of defiance? This image invites us to reflect on the stories we tell about women in power, and how history remembers them.