Cleopatra at her Toilet 1767

Curator: Johann Heinrich Tischbein the Elder painted "Cleopatra at her Toilet." It’s oil on canvas, a relatively small work. My immediate reaction? It’s theatrical, almost saccharine. Editor: For me, it evokes the power dynamics of its era. Cleopatra’s beauty routine is also a performance, an exercise of authority, and her attendants' dark skin underscores the racial hierarchy, the exoticized "other." Curator: I see the focus as less about power and more about the opulence of the materials themselves: the draped textiles, the gleam of the unguent jar, the pearl tiara. Tischbein meticulously renders each texture, celebrating craft and luxury. Editor: That is a valid point but Cleopatra’s display of wealth is intrinsically connected to her position. The painting reflects the societal obsession with female beauty and the male gaze, perpetuating the objectification of women, and moreover non-white women. Curator: Agreed, it certainly presents a staged, idealized version, typical for its time. Considering the means of production, the labor involved in creating these precious materials, it definitely becomes a document of wealth and privilege. Editor: Absolutely. These visual signifiers were intentional. It is crucial to analyze the painting’s historical context and its role in reinforcing societal structures. Curator: A good reminder to look beyond the pretty surface. Editor: Exactly. Art is never just about art.