Cleopatra and the Asp in an elegant interior (1663)

Jan Berents is the artist behind "Cleopatra and the Asp in an elegant interior", dated 1663. Historical background, 1663: In Japan the Edo period began in 1603, and in China the Qing dynasty took power in 1644, both bringing new patrons and styles. In the Dutch Republic, a prosperous middle-class market supported landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and scenes of daily life painted at a modest scale for the home. Figurative in brief: Figurative art depicts people and recognisable scenes, and it has been central to European painting since antiquity. Portraits, group scenes, studies of the nude, and pictures of daily life all belong to figurative art. It is listed in the Figurative collection. The image is in portrait orientation.

"Cleopatra and the Asp in an elegant interior" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Figurative works draw attention to the human presence, the gesture, and the emotional tone, so they work particularly well as a standalone focal point in living rooms, studies, and bedrooms. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

Dutch, 1679–1733

If you like the visual language of Jan Berents, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.