Cleopatra 1858 - 1869

William Wetmore Story's marble sculpture "Cleopatra" depicts the Egyptian queen in a moment of contemplation, her hand resting on her forehead, her gaze cast downward. This Neoclassical piece, created between 1858 and 1869, captures the idealized beauty and melancholy of a historical figure, echoing the Romanticism of the era. The sculpture's realistic detail and idealized form contributed to Story's success as a leading sculptor of the 19th century. "Cleopatra" is a powerful and evocative work that continues to captivate audiences today.