History of Cleopatra

Description

Title: History of Cleopatra
Artist: ArNoUx
Year: 2025
Medium: Mixed media on sketchbook paper
Dimensions: 9 x 12 in. (22.86 x 30.48 cm)
Style: German Expressionism

Curatorial Note:
History of Cleopatra by ArNoUx is a dynamic and expressionist interpretation of historical memory through a contemporary lens. This mixed media composition, executed in sketchbook format, interweaves multiple fragmented portraits—ranging from regal to modern figures—conveying the mythic and evolving identity of Cleopatra. The artist employs layered ink, marker, and bold gestural lines to reconstruct Cleopatra not as a single entity, but as a multifaceted symbol across time.

Elements like geometric overlays and symbolic marks suggest both historical distortion and modern reinterpretation. A prominently featured book titled History inscribed with “2025” and the artist’s signature places the work within a meta-narrative about authorship, gender, and historical rewriting. The blue and red palette amplifies emotional intensity while highlighting the psychological tension inherent in Cleopatra’s legacy.

ArNoUx’s expressionist approach reclaims Cleopatra’s image from traditional canons, infusing it with emotion, critique, and a fragmented yet empowered identity—blurring the line between historical figure and cultural construct.