Death of Cleopatra 1754

Editor: Here we have Johann Georg Wille's "Death of Cleopatra." It's quite striking, though the etching makes it feel a bit distant, almost staged. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, it’s all about the drama, darling! Look at the way Wille captures the melodrama. The heavy drapes, the despairing handmaiden… it’s pure theater. Do you feel that sense of performance, even in death? Editor: Definitely. It’s like she's playing a role, even at the very end. Curator: Exactly! And consider Wille's choice of etching. That precise line work allows him to convey a certain coolness. It’s a very controlled passion, wouldn’t you say? Editor: I see that. It’s a bit less raw and visceral than I expected. Curator: Precisely. A tragedy, but with impeccable manners. Editor: I never thought about tragedy having manners. Curator: Well now you have dear.