Dood van Cleopatra 1510 - 1550

This 16th century engraving by Sebald Beham depicts the death of Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. The engraving, titled "Dood van Cleopatra", showcases a detailed depiction of Cleopatra's demise, with the use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques to emphasize her tragic death. The subject is depicted in a prison cell with a chain attached to her leg, with the asp, the venomous snake that killed her, positioned under her dress. Beham's precise rendering of this historic event exemplifies his skill as a printmaker in the Northern Renaissance, reflecting the artistic trends of the period, notably his use of fine lines and detailed representations.