Portrait of a lady, traditionally identified as Alexandra Evichovna Demidov as Cleopatra 

Pompeo Batoni created this portrait in oil paint. The subject is traditionally identified as Alexandra Evichovna Demidov, depicted as Cleopatra. Batoni was celebrated for his command of color and his ability to capture textures, like the sheen of pearls adorning the subject's hair and neckline. These details invite us to consider the intensive labor involved in acquiring and crafting these materials. The pearls are natural materials that might have been sourced from around the world. The red fabric draped across her arm glows with a pigment derived from valuable materials. Batoni's work reminds us that the aesthetic qualities we admire in art are often deeply connected to material histories and the realities of production. By paying attention to these aspects, we can gain a fuller appreciation of the artistry and its place in a broader social context.