Cleopatra and Octavian
Cleopatra and Octavian c1787 by French Painter Louis Gauffier (1762 – 1801); a historical, landscape and portrait painter.
This is a historical representation that depicts the meeting of the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII (69 BC – 30 BC), the last member of the Ptolemaic dynasty as well as the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt who ruled from 51 BC to 30 BC, and Octavian (63 BC – 14 AD), adopted son of Julius Caesar (100 BC – 44 BC), and the future first emperor of the Roman Empire who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD; and who became a key figure in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire, and who is considered to be one of the most successful military leaders in history.
The painting showcases a moment of political negotiation and diplomacy between the two leaders, highlighting the power dynamics at play between the Egyptian and Roman empires; as they sit across each other while Cleopatra explains her point of view as Octavian listens intently.
Cleopatra is sitting on a large couch with a blue cushion and silk covered back rest, with a long orange cloak behind her and draped over the couch behind the end of the couch she is sitting on.
Beside her on the couch there are three scrolls, on which we can see some written text; and behind her are two of her female servants in conversation.
To the right of Cleopatra and her servants is a tall marble stand that has embossed on it the name Julius Caesar, and below the name a maiden with wings carrying a wreath in her right hand.
Draped over the marble stand is a deep rose silk cloth with gold tassels on the show in gold eagle-bearer; and on top of the stand is a dark bronze or copper bust of Caesar with a gold laurel leaf crown on its head.
Octavian on the other hand is seated in a sculpted golden chair that has an image of an Egyptian Goddess with wings in the form of a lioness ; and around the corner behind him in the passage way are two Roman Soldiers.
Behind the couch on a pedestal is a statue of Julius Caesar, who ruled Rome from 49 BC until his assassination in 44 BC; and behind his statue in three alcoves in the wall are three different Egyptian Deities.
This is a remastered digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image that is available for purchase online as a rolled canvas print.
