Cleopatra Lying at the Foot of a Tree, with a Term
1515
Medium
Engraving on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Plate: 10.2 × 14.7 cm (4 1/16 × 5 13/16 in.); Sheet: 12.5 × 17.6 cm (4 15/16 × 6 15/16 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
76092
Art Historical Context
In the early 16th century, enigmatic Master of 1515 this delicate engraving, *Cleopatra Lying at Foot of a Tree, a Term*, exemplifying the Northern Renaissance's fascination with classical antiquity. Dated 1515, the work captures the Egyptian queen in a contemplative pose at the base of a tree accompanied by a term—a classical sculptural pillar topped with a bust—evoking themes of beauty, power, and tragic downfall. This anonymous artist, identified by a dated print from the same year, specialized in intricate small-scale engravings that brought mythological narratives to a wider audience beyo...