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The Legend

The legend of Cleopatra has everything: opulence, power, seduction and celebrity.

The audacious power plays and tumultuous love affairs of the last queen of Egypt have captivated artists, musicians, filmmakers and writers for more than 2000 years.

The Banquet of Cleopatra (1743-44) by Giambattista Tiepolo is a prized painting in the NGV Permanent Collection. Discover the provenance and meaning of Tiepolo’s scene of outrageous extravagance across three Sundays in October, with talks and performances each week hosted by senior curator Ted Gott.

The love affair between Cleopatra and Roman general Mark Antony is among the most famous in history, and has been told again and again for centuries. Why does this tragic story continue to inspire creative people?

This event is presented in partnership with NGV.

Featuring

Ted Gott

Ted Gott is Senior Curator of International Art at the National Gallery of Victoria. After studying at the University of Melbourne, the British Museum, Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago, he previously worked at the Robert Holmes-à-Court Collection, Heide Museum of Modern Art ... Read more

Ali Alizadeh

Ali Alizadeh is a writer and academic, based in Melbourne.  His books include the new novel, The Last Days of Jeanne d’Arc (Giramondo, 2017); the work of fiction, Transactions (UQP, 2013); the collection of poetry, Ashes in the Air (UQP, 2011) and the work of creative non-fiction, Iran: My G... Read more

Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson is a Melbourne based maker, performer, dramaturg and director. He trained at the VCA (Performance Creation, Directing) and Monash (Performing Arts), has studied with Philippe Gaulier and is an International Fellow of Shakespeare’s Globe in London.  Performance work ranges from plays... Read more

Sophie Lampel

Sophie Lampel trained at The University of Ballarat (Performing Arts) and is an International Fellow of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre London. She works as an actor, theatre producer and pilates instructor. Her main producing work is with the creation, development and management of Essential Theatre.... Read more

Location

17th to 18th Century European Paintings Gallery, Level 2, NGV International

180 St Kilda Road Melbourne Victoria 3000

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