Cleopatra - Jan Brouwer

A dramatic mezzotint by Jan Brouwer depicting Cleopatra with the serpent, rendered in the rich tonal style of the late seventeenth-century Dutch Baroque.

This mezzotint by Jan Brouwer depicts the Egyptian queen Cleopatra in a moment of dramatic resolution. The print employs the tonal qualities characteristic of the mezzotint process, which allows for a wide range of light and shadow. Brouwer uses these gradations to model the figure of Cleopatra, who is shown with a serpent coiled around her arm, referencing the traditional narrative of her death. Her expression is one of contemplation, set against a backdrop that includes a classical architectural element and a relief sculpture of a figure in the distance.

The composition is typical of late seventeenth-century Dutch printmaking, where classical themes were frequently adapted for a domestic audience. The drapery of her gown is rendered with heavy, sweeping folds that create a sense of volume and movement. Beside her, a vase filled with flowers provides a decorative counterpoint to the gravity of the subject. The inclusion of the inscription 'Eurymedon pinx. et fec.' suggests that the print may be based on a painting by an artist using that pseudonym, while 'I. Brouwer excud.' identifies Brouwer as the publisher or printmaker responsible for this specific plate.

Mezzotint was a favoured medium for reproducing paintings during this period because it could capture the soft transitions of light found in oil works. The contrast between the dark background and the illuminated figure of Cleopatra draws the eye to the central narrative. This print offers a clear example of the technical skill required to manipulate a copper plate to achieve such depth. It remains a representative work of the period, demonstrating the interest in classical history and the technical refinement of print production in the Netherlands.