Cleopatra (1630) by Guido Reni

Cleopatra - Guido Reni - 1630

Artwork Information

TitleCleopatra
ArtistGuido Reni
Date1630
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions95 x 95 cm
Art MovementBaroque
Current LocationRoyal Collection (Buckingham Palace), London, UK

About Cleopatra

The artwork titled “Cleopatra” is an evocative oil on canvas painting by the artist Guido Reni, dated to the year 1630. Anchored in the dramatic aesthetics of the Baroque art movement, this historical painting measures 95 by 95 centimeters and is part of the Royal Collection housed within the prestigious confines of Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom.

In the artwork, Cleopatra is depicted in a moment of tragic vulnerability. Her body is reclined and her attire, a sumptuous ensemble of white and deep red fabrics, cascades around her form, suggesting both her regal status and the gravity of the scene unfolding. The Queen of Egypt’s expression is one of pained resignation, her eyes gazing upwards, perhaps in an appeal to the divine or in contemplation of her impending fate. The pale tonality of her skin, rendered with a luminous quality characteristic of Reni’s skill with light and shade, contrasts starkly against the dark, indistinct background, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on her emotional state.

A poisonous asp, the instrument of her demise according to historical anecdotes, is subtly included in the composition, noticeable near her chest—an understated yet poignant symbol of the fatal choice she has made. The meticulous attention to the textures of skin and fabric, the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, and the intense emotional resonance all serve to embody the Baroque period’s emphasis on expressive content and theatricality.

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