Cleopatra, Eros, Antony, Charmian and Iras (Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, Act 3, Scene 9)

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching and engraving, titled *Cleopatra, Eros Antony, Charmian andras* from Shakespeare's *Antony and Cleopatra* (Act3, Scene 9), captures a pivotal moment in the tragic romance between the Egyptian queen and Roman general Mark Antony. Created between 1825 and 1840 by designer Henry Corbould and engraver Charles Rolls—drawing directly from William Shakespeare's immortal text—the print depicts the entangled lovers amid their attendants, evoking the play's themes of passion, power, and impending doom. In this scene, Antony reflects on his faltering fortunes, with Eros loyally by his side, highlighting the human vulnerabilities beneath imperial grandeur. The artwork's small scale (just 3 7/16 × 2 9/16 inches) reflects the precision of 19th-century British printmaking, where etching's fluid lines and engraving's fine detail allowed for intricate reproductions ideal for books or portfolios. Corbould, known for historical and literary illustrations, infused the composition with dramatic tension, while Rolls' skilled burin work ensured clarity and depth. Produced during a Romantic-era fascination with Shakespeare, such prints democratized access to canonical drama, bridging theater and visual art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Harriet McDonald, 1941), this piece underscores the enduring cultural reverence for Cleopatra's allure and Antony's hubris, inviting visitors to ponder timeless tales of love and empire.

About the Artist

Henry Corbould|Charles Rolls|William Shakespeare · 1787–1844

Comment on works: History; Literary illustrations; Genre