Who painted Cleopatra Standing?

Cleopatra Standing was painted by Sebald Beham in 1529.

Where can I see Cleopatra Standing?

Cleopatra Standing is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cleopatra Standing?

Cleopatra Standing is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Cleopatra Standing?

Museum-quality prints of Cleopatra Standing are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Cleopatra Standing

Sebald Beham , 1529

Cleopatra Standing is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1529 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Sebald Beham’s 1529 engraving titled "Cleopatra Standing" presents a nude female figure positioned before a doorway. The composition is rendered in black and white, with the woman holding a key in one hand and a set of chains in the other, while a vase rests on the floor and the door features a latch and two circular handles.

Subject & Meaning

The juxtaposition of the key and chains suggests a narrative of confinement and release, inviting interpretation of the figure as a symbolic or mythological character, potentially alluding to Cleopatra’s legendary suicide or themes of imprisonment and liberation.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine lines on a metal plate, the engraving displays Beham’s characteristic precision and attention to minute detail. The sharp incisions create a high-contrast surface that emphasizes texture, from the smooth skin of the figure to the metallic hardware of the door.

History & Provenance

Sebald Beham, a native of Nuremberg born in 1500, was a prominent member of the “Little Masters,” a circle of German printmakers noted for their diminutive yet intricate works. By the end of his career he was active in Frankfurt, and the engraving is one of roughly 252 prints attributed to him.

Context

Created during the early sixteenth century, the work reflects the influence of Albrecht Dürer’s generation, whose emphasis on technical mastery and classical subject matter shaped the output of the Little Masters. Beham’s prints often combined erotic or allegorical content with meticulous craftsmanship.

Legacy

"Cleopatra Standing" exemplifies the high level of skill achievable in small-scale printmaking and contributes to the understanding of how German artists of the period engaged with classical motifs and narrative ambiguity within the medium of engraving.