“Cleopatra Testing Poisons on Those Condemned to Death,” created by Alexandre Cabanel in 1887, is an oil painting on canvas that exemplifies the Academicism art movement. This historical painting, measuring 148 by 87.6 cm, is housed in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium.
The artwork portrays a dramatic and intense scene set in ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra, adorned in regal attire and reclining on luxurious fabrics, observes the effects of poison on condemned prisoners. The composition is rich in detail, depicting the ornate architectural backdrop of an Egyptian palace with hieroglyphic inscriptions on the columns. To Cleopatra’s right, attendants and a leashed leopard enhance the sense of opulence and power. The foreground is occupied by the prisoners, suffering from the effects of the poison, their agony palpable. Cabanel’s masterful use of light, shadow, and vivid color contribute to the painting’s dramatic and somber atmosphere.
