Cleopatra
1600
oil
From the collection of Galleria Borghese
1600
oil
From the collection of Galleria Borghese
Cleopatra is a 1600 oil by Leonardo da Pistoia, a Early Baroque Italian work, held at Galleria Borghese.
The painting depicts a woman with dark, curly hair, adorned with a crown-like headpiece. She is topless, with a snake wrapped around her right arm and chest. Her right hand gently touches the snake's body. The woman's gaze is directed to the left, and her expression is calm. The background of the painting is dark, which contrasts with the woman's fair skin. The overall atmosphere of the painting is somber and mysterious. The woman's pose and expression suggest a sense of quiet contemplation. The snake, often a symbol of danger or temptation, seems to be under her control, adding to the enigmatic nature of the scene. The dark background serves to focus attention on the woman and the snake, creating a sense of intimacy and drama. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, explore the works of Leonardo da Pistoia.
Leonardo da Pistoia (1502–1548) was an artist, born in Pistoia.
See the richer artist page
