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Guido Cagnacci's The Death of Cleopatra, a painting of a topless woman collapsed onto a red, studded leather chair, white her eyes just barely open. A small black snake can be seen coiled around the right arm rest

Guido Cagnacci (1601–1663), Italy, The Death of Cleopatra, circa 1660–62, oil on canvas, Pinacoteca di Brera, 2341

Bernardo Strozzi's David with the Head of Goliath, a painting of the biblical David wearing a fine feathered cap, holding the hilt of a claymore in his right hand, and the head of Goliath in his left. A small stone is embedded in the forehead of Gloliath

Bernardo Strozzi (1581–1644), Italy, David with the Head of Goliath, circa 1636, oil on canvas, Cincinnati Art Museum; John J. Emery Fund, 1938.10501

Jean Mignon's Cleopatra Bitten by an Asp, a black and white etching of a nude Cleopatra sitting in a bed, attacked by two snakes wrapped around her arms as two onlookers watch in horror. The image is outlined with an ornately decorated frame

Jean Mignon (active 1537–1552), France, Cleopatra Bitten by an Asp, circa 1543–45, etching, Cincinnati Art Museum; The Albert P. Strietmann Collection and Deaccession Funds, 1983.18

Guido Cagnacci's David Holding Goliath's Head, a painting of a shirtless David wearing a red feathered cap. His right hand is placed on his hip with with sling hung over the wrist. He hold the head of Goliath in his left hand

Guido Cagnacci (1601–1663), Italy, David Holding Goliath's Head, 1650, oil on canvas, Gift of The Samuel H. Kress Foundation, Columbia Museum of Art, 1962.21

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March 23, 2018–July 22, 2018 | Gallery 125

Become a Member | Press Release

Cagnacci: Painting Beauty and Death brings together a select group of Italian Baroque paintings for the first time: three works by Guido Cagnacci and one by Bernardo Strozzi. The centerpiece of the special feature is the oil on canvas Death of Cleopatra (1660-62) on loan from the Pinacoteca de Brera (Brera Paintings Gallery) in Milan, Italy. Free admission. 

This special feature is organized by the Cincinnati Art Museum with the Foundation for Italian Art and Culture.

Foundation for Itialian Art and Culture