Cleopatra 1593 - 1603

Jan Muller's "Cleopatra" (1593-1603) depicts the Egyptian queen, the last pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, in a moment of despair as she contemplates her fate after being defeated by Roman forces. This etching showcases the dramatic theatricality of Mannerism, characterized by elongated limbs, exaggerated poses, and emotional intensity. The detailed rendering of Cleopatra's figure and her surrounding environment further underscores this emotional turmoil. The artwork, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a glimpse into the artistic trends of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.