caption

circle of John Baptist Medina, ? Cleopatra

Photo courtesy of Dave Penman (All rights reserved)

Details

Country House
Doddington Hall
Title(s)
? Cleopatra
Date
? c.1680–1700
Location
Long Gallery
Medium and support
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Overall height: 75 cm, Overall width: 65 cm
Artist
circle of John Baptist Medina (1659-1710)
Catalogue Number
DN101

Description

Although the subject in the present picture has in the past been identified speculatively as a member of the Tailor family, the generalised features, sensual expression, historical costume and presence of the urn, suggest that this is a historical portrait, possibly Mary Magdalene with jar of myrrh, or – as suggested by the jewelled broach and strings of pearls worn by the woman – Cleopatra.

by Martin Postle

Related items from Doddington Hall's Catalogue and Doddington Hall's Document

  • Castle Howard Doddington Hall

    1760 Doddington Inventory

  • Castle Howard Doddington Hall

    Edward Hussey Delaval

    attributed to Arthur Pond, c. mid-1740s

  • Castle Howard Doddington Hall

    Perihelion

    circle of Henrick Danckerts, ? c.1675