Cleopatra's Banquet — Gerard de Lairesse

Gerard de Lairesse. Painted c. 1675 - c. 1680.

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.

From the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

canvas, oil paint (paint) · Original size: 95.5 × 74 cm · H.A. Insinger-van Loon Bequest, Amsterdam

Print: 95.5 × 74 cm, printed on Hahnemühle FineArt archival cotton paper. Museum-grade reproduction quality, true to the colours and detail of the original work.

Frame (optional): a custom-made wooden frame in a matte black finish, cut to the exact dimensions of this print, with an off-white passe-partout mat and protective glazing. Ready to hang.

Source: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/20015977. Image released under CC0 by the Rijksmuseum.