3-002-791 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Portrait of a Woman as Cleopatra, 2nd half 16th century. Aside from the curiosity of this wealthy Venetian woman choosing to have herself portrayed as Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, just as she is about to apply the poisonous asp to her breast, this painting is a remarkably interesting view of a Venetian bedroom in the later 1500s. The woman's platform shoes and the "Sansovino" type mirror on the rear wall have drawn the most attention.