Etching, circa 1770. Signed in the plate.

I. 34.7 x 49.0 cm, S. 34.7 x 49.0 cm.

Nagler 48.

According to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, which has in its collection the Tiepolo oil painting on which this etching is based, "The story of Mark Antony (83–30 BC) and Cleopatra (69–30 BC) was a popular subject for artists in the 18th century. Both Antony and Cleopatra were powerful leaders. Cleopatra was the seventh and last queen of Egypt who enjoyed a life of refinement and luxury. Mark Antony was the Roman consul whose legendary extravagances included feasts where he would gorge himself on rare foods. The story of their love affair involved romance, war, military splendor, tragedy, and death.

The episode represented in Tiepolo’s 'The Banquet of Cleopatra' was described by the Roman historian Pliny in AD 77. It tells of a famous contest between the Egyptian and Roman rulers. Cleopatra wagered that she could stage a feast more lavish than Mark Antony. Tiepolo’s painting shows the dramatic moment at the end of the feast when she removes one of a pair of rare, priceless pearls that she wears as earrings, and drops it in a glass of vinegar and drinks it. Lucius Plancus, the third figure at the table, who was judging the wager, declared Cleopatra the winner of the bet and prevented her from destroying the second pearl.

While Tiepolo’s painting is based on a historical story and includes visual references to ancient Egypt and Rome, Tiepolo has painted Cleopatra in contemporary [18th century Italian] dress."

PROVENANCE
Ernst Salmonsson (Sweden, 19th century), inscription in ink verso (not in Lugt); Dr. C. Axel Widstrand (Sweden,1866-1956), with the ink stamp verso (Lugt 2630a); The collection of Engineer and Major Frank Bensow (1883-1969), with the ink stamp verso (Lugt 982c).