Public domain
Cleopatra’s Banquet
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Who could throw the most lavish banquet? This was the bet between the Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra and the Roman general Mark Antony. Cleopatra won the wager by dissolving a pearl in vinegar and then drinking the mixture. In this painting, she is just removing her earring. De Lairesse painted this story like a scene from a play, with antique costumes and classical architecture.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineCleopatra’s Banquet. c. 1675 - c. 1680. Gerard de Lairesse. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
