Banquet of Anthony and Cleopatra

Artist Claude Vignon (French, 1593-1670, active in Rome and Paris)

Datec. 1640

CultureFrench

MediumOil on canvas

ClassificationPaintings

Credit LineMuseum purchase, 1951

Object numberSN653

A famous story from ancient history about the courtship of the Roman general Anthony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra concerns a contest held in the form of a banquet. Each was to present dishes that would reflect their great wealth. Anthony presented exquisite morsels on elaborate gold tableware. Cleopatra seemed at first to have nothing prepared. Then she held out a cup of wine and dropped a large pearl inside, offering it to Anthony to drink. The pearl dissolved in the wine, and Cleopatra won the contest. Vignon's highly original style of painting employs widely varying brushstrokes and impasto that enhance the illusion of gold and jewelry and diaphanous silk.

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