Cleopatra and Caesar

🧑‍🌾 Realism 🏛️ Neoclassicism & Academic Art

Why it's great

A rolled-up carpet is unrolled at Julius Caesar's feet, and out peeks Cleopatra. The story says she was smuggled into his palace this way. Gérôme painted the moment of surprise in rich detail. It's a dramatic episode from ancient history.

🏛️ Part of history

Julius Caesar & the Fall of the Roman Republic (100–27 BC) — A young Cleopatra is delivered to Caesar rolled in a carpet. This meeting started a famous alliance.

Cleopatra, Antony & the Rise of the Empire (44 BC – 14 AD) — Before Antony there was Caesar: Gérôme shows the young queen arriving in Caesar's rooms.

Where to see it

📍 Raclin Murphy Museum of ArtNotre Dame, Indiana, United States

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Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 911 × 1,321 px · 1.2 megapixels This is the largest scan on Wikimedia Commons, which is fairly small for a big print. The museum that owns it may offer a larger one. File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

Jean-Léon Gérôme

1824–1904 · born in Vesoul · died in 9th arrondissement of Paris

Jean-Léon Gérôme was born in Vesoul, France, and became one of the most successful painters and teachers in Paris. He traveled to Egypt and the Middle East and painted lively scenes from ancient and modern life. He was also a sculptor. His students came from around the world.