The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra c. mid 1740s

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created this pen and brown ink wash drawing of "The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra." During the 18th century, the narrative of Antony and Cleopatra was often used to explore themes of power, desire, and the exotic "Orient" through a European lens. Tiepolo’s work presents us with a moment heavy with historical and cultural baggage. We see Antony, the Roman general, bowing before Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen. Their encounter is not just a meeting of individuals, but a collision of empires and cultures. This depiction of Cleopatra as a regal figure, contrasted with Antony's subservient posture, hints at the complex dynamics of gender, power, and cultural difference that have been projected onto this historical relationship. Notice how Tiepolo renders Cleopatra with a certain cool detachment, while Antony is all submission and adoration. The artist captures something about the enduring fascination with Cleopatra as a symbol of female power and allure, while hinting at the dangers of orientalism. The artist makes visible how the personal drama between two people also involves the clash of civilizations.