With the exception of gold coins, no actual portraits remain of Queen Cleopatra, ruler of the ancient kingdom of Egypt. Yet her riches, her power, her passions and her tragic death, have captured imaginations and turned her into a female celebrity depicted by artists of all times.
Here Barbara Ana offers her own version, a cross stitch portrait and a stunning one.
Eyes closed, the sovereign is concentrating. Depicted from the bust up, arms spread out, it looks as if she were seated on her trone, about to deliver justice. In her right hand is the ancient Egyptian symbol ankh, a cross surmounted by a loop and signifying “life”.
Cleopatra's elaborate head dress is of gold and feathers, hair braided and beaded at the back, and is topped with a ruby and sapphire crown. The background is ornate with Egyptian hieroglyphics and colour paintings including an eye and stylised flowers.
The cross stitch piece is stitched on a dark chocolate background, Belfast linen from Zweigart, that enhances the vivid colours and gold highlights.
Stitch Count: 73w x 117h
Design Area: 11.6 cm x 18.6cm
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Linen Dark Chocolate by Zweigart
Thread: DMC - 300, 598, 666, 727, 780, 822, 839, 958, 975, 976, 3371, 3808, 3810, 3827, 3852, 3855. AND Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid - PB01