Cleopatra Testing Poisons on Condemned Prisoners
Alexandre Cabanel · 1887
Why it's great
The Egyptian queen watches closely as a poison is tested on prisoners, while her servants stand by. Cabanel painted a gripping scene of the ancient world. The details of the room are exquisite. It's a dramatic image of ancient power.
🏛️ Part of history
Cleopatra, Antony & the Rise of the Empire (44 BC – 14 AD) — Cleopatra, near the end of her rule, studies how poisons work by watching their effect on prisoners.
Where to see it
📍 Royal Museum of Fine Arts AntwerpAntwerp, Belgium
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Alexandre Cabanel was born in Montpellier, France, and became a star of the French Academy. He lived in Paris, where he taught at the École des Beaux-Arts. He painted classical and historical subjects, as well as portraits of the rich. Napoleon III admired him and bought his work.
