Edmonia Lewis portrayed Cleopatra in the moment after her death, wearing her royal attire, in majestic repose on a throne. The identical sphinx heads flanking the throne represent the twins she bore with Roman general Marc Antony, while the hieroglyphics on the side have no meaning.

The Death of Cleopatra

1876

  • Artist

    Edmonia Lewis
    American, ca. 1844 – 1907

  • Medium

    Marble

  • Credit Line

    Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Historical Society of Forest Park, Illinois

  • Object Number

    1994.17

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