Cleopatra - John William Waterhouse

A reproduction of John William Waterhouse's 1888 portrait of Cleopatra, capturing the queen in a moment of regal, quiet contemplation.

This print reproduces the 1888 oil painting by John William Waterhouse, a figure associated with the later stages of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. The composition depicts the Egyptian queen in a moment of quiet contemplation, seated upon a throne adorned with animal motifs. Waterhouse employs a restrained palette, focusing on the contrast between the white drapery of the subject's gown and the muted tones of the background architecture.

The work reflects the Victorian fascination with classical antiquity and the figure of the femme fatale. Unlike many contemporary depictions that emphasise the dramatic or tragic end of the queen, this image presents a more composed, regal figure. The inclusion of the winged solar disc in the background carving provides a subtle nod to Egyptian iconography, grounding the subject within her historical context while maintaining the artist's characteristic focus on the psychological state of his female subjects.

Waterhouse was known for his technical precision and his ability to blend classical themes with a romantic sensibility. This particular image, often reproduced as a photogravure or print, captures the artist's attention to texture, from the soft folds of the fabric to the rigid, carved stone of the throne. The print retains the original signature and the publication details from the late nineteenth century, offering a window into the period's methods of art dissemination. It remains a representative example of the academic style that dominated the Royal Academy during the late Victorian era, where historical accuracy often merged with a desire for aesthetic harmony.