Cleopatra at Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

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Neoclassical sculptors frequently drew inspiration from mythology, ancient history, the Bible, and classical literature for their subject matter. Massachusetts native William Wetmore Story's full-size marbles exemplify this trend, with Cleopatra, his most famous work, ranking among dozens of subjects like Medea, Delilah, Electra, and Saul produced in his Rome studio. In these sculptures, Story developed a distinct theme: famous or infamous personalities from history, often female, are presented on a monumental scale, engaged in intense mental activity. Whether reflecting on past actions or contemplating future decisions, the figures are preoccupied with deeds of immense significance. Story described his interest in depicting such moments in sculpture: "What remains undone is as crucial to a true work of art as what is achieved." For him, the suggestion of imminent action was more captivating than melodrama. Inspired by the resurgence of interest in Egyptian culture, Story began modeling Cleopatra (69–30 B.C.), the last Macedonian ruler of Egypt, contemplating her suicide in 1858. The attention paid to historical accuracy matches the virtuosity of the carving. Viewers of Story's work admired his efforts at archaeological correctness in portraying Cleopatra's nemes, the headcloth worn by Egyptian royalty, topped with the uraeus or cobra headdress. Although Cleopatra's jewelry and other details have a Victorian flair (the scarab bracelet is an example), Story successfully set the "Egyptian" tone of his sculpture. The statues of Harvard-educated William Wetmore Story exemplify this inclination, with Cleopatra being just one of dozens of subjects such as Medea, Delilah, Electra, and Saul produced in his studio. "Cleopatra" is highly representative of Story's oeuvre: most of his statues are single figures in the round, often seated deep in thought contemplating deeds of catastrophic significance; here Cleopatra ponders her suicide. This object is part of the Scan The World initiative, a non-profit project introduced by MyMiniFactory that aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.