Cleopatra

Cleopatra lying partly naked on a bed where she appears to have died from the snake bite, it is entwined around her arms.

Engraving, circa 1550, signed with monogram in the lower left corner 'HTA' (not in Nagler), and monogramatic device of an empty tablet at the bottom centre.

After Marcantonio’s engraving, based on a drawing by Raphael inspired by the ancient sculpture of Ariadne in the Vatican Belvedere.

“Realizzato dopo il 1515 ispirato alla celebre Arianna del Vaticano da un disegno attribuito a Raffaello che si trovava nella raccolta Lawrence (Passavant)” (cfr. S. Massari, Raphael Invenit, Storia, IV).

A good impression, printed on contemporary laid paper, with margins, good condition.

Bibliografia

Bartsch, Le Peintre graveur (XIV.162.199/D); S. Massari, Raphael Invenit, Storia, IV, n. 4; Indice delle stampe De Rossi, 70, c. 8, 1735; Indice delle stampe De Rossi, 44, c. 13, 1677.