Dood van Cleopatra c. 1610 - 1634

Willem Panneels created this print of The Death of Cleopatra around 1633. The process of printmaking is crucial here. Lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The marks that you see were achieved through labor, and each print pulled from the plate represents a reproduction of that work. The social context of printmaking is just as important as the technique. Prints made art accessible to a wider audience. While Cleopatra herself was royalty, this print democratizes her image. The dense cross-hatching creates a sense of shadow and volume, bringing a dramatic flair to Cleopatra's demise, while highlighting the textures of her fur robe and feathered helmet. Considering materials and making helps us appreciate how prints like this one blurred the lines between art, craft, and industry, making images and ideas circulate more freely.