Antieke buste van Cleopatra 1680

Etienne Baudet created this engraving of an ancient bust of Cleopatra sometime between 1670 and 1711. During this period, European art often looked to classical antiquity for inspiration, but the representation of historical figures like Cleopatra was shaped by contemporary social and political ideals. Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, has been mythologized in western art and literature, often portrayed through the lens of male desire and power. Baudet's engraving reflects this tradition, presenting her as an idealized figure of European beauty. Yet, we should remember that Cleopatra was a complex, multilingual leader of African descent who navigated the treacherous waters of Roman politics. The story we tell about Cleopatra speaks volumes about our own values and biases. It is crucial to consider how history is mediated through art, and whose voices and perspectives are prioritized, and whose are silenced. This image invites us to consider the stories we tell about women in power, and the ways in which their identities are shaped and reshaped across centuries.