Cleopatra 1858 - 1869

Editor: Right now, we're looking at William Wetmore Story's "Cleopatra," sculpted between 1858 and 1869, currently housed in the Met. The marble gives her such a compelling, almost melancholic, presence. I'm curious, what stands out to you about this sculpture? Curator: For me, the interest lies in Story's choice of material and the process of its manipulation. Marble, classically associated with permanence and idealized beauty, here confronts us with a narrative steeped in defeat and introspection. Consider the labor involved in extracting, transporting, and carving such a dense material, a direct engagement with the earth itself. Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective. So, you see the material and labor as being critical to our understanding of this iconic queen’s depiction? Curator: Absolutely. The smoothness of the marble contrasts sharply with the complex narrative being depicted. It makes us question the social context of its creation and reception. Who was commissioning and consuming these works, and what did it signify about their own status and aspirations? Editor: That makes a lot of sense. The materiality really shifts the focus from just the aesthetic to the socio-economic implications. Curator: Exactly. Also, note how Story renders Cleopatra’s clothing, draped and yet clinging. This wasn’t just about idealizing form; it was about demonstrating skill, a virtuoso performance in stone. What labor was put into producing her attire, jewels, and headdress? It provokes an understanding that there are class implications to even this aesthetic feat. Editor: I see what you mean. I originally was looking at it just at face value. But that added perspective provides a new level of insight that connects this historical queen to the labor practices that both she as royalty oversaw and that Story as sculptor was implicated in as well. Curator: Precisely! It's a challenge to the traditional art historical gaze that privileges aesthetic value over material realities. Editor: Well, this has completely changed how I view this sculpture, thinking beyond just her pose to the whole process of its making. Thank you!