Cleopatra Asked to Pay Tribute to Rome from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra c. 1680

This tapestry, “Cleopatra Asked to Pay Tribute to Rome from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra,” depicts a scene from the life of Cleopatra, the last active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. The tapestry, created by Flemish artist Guilliam van Leefdael around 1680, shows Cleopatra in a boat with Cupid, being approached by a Roman soldier demanding tribute. The vibrant colors and intricate details, typical of Flemish tapestries, add richness to the narrative of this historical moment. The tapestry's large size (343.4 × 361.6 cm) and its location in The Art Institute of Chicago make it an accessible and important work for the study of art history and tapestry-making.