The Banquet of Anthony and Cleopatra

Art Historical Context

This etching captures the legendary banquet of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, a dramatic encounter from ancient history where the Egyptian queen famously dissolved a pearl in vinegar to win a wager of extravagance. Created between 1763 and 1764, the print draws on the enduring fascination with this tale of power, romance, and opulence, rendered through delicate lines that highlight the intimate dining scene with figures gathered around a lavish table. As a first-state etching, the work exemplifies the medium’s ability to disseminate artistic ideas widely during the 18th century. The collaboration between Jean Honoré Fragonard and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo blends French Rococo lightness with Italian dramatic flair, resulting in an image that feels both elegant and lively. Its modest scale invites close viewing, emphasizing fine details of costume and gesture that bring the historical moment to life. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this piece reflects the period’s interest in classical subjects reimagined through contemporary artistic sensibilities. It offers viewers a glimpse into how 18th-century artists transformed grand narratives into accessible, refined prints.

About the Artist

Jean Honoré Fragonard|Giovanni Battista Tiepolo · 1732–1806

Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806) was a French painter and printmaker whose late Rococo manner was distinguished by remarkable facility, exuberance, and hedonism. Born in Grasse, he moved to Paris where he trained under Jean-Baptiste Chardin and François Boucher, winning the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1752. After studying in Italy alongside Hubert Robert, Fragonard returned to Paris in 1761 to fi...