Collar for Cleopatra

Marilyn Jones

May 2023

During a period of fascination with ancient Egypt’s civilisation, Rita Angus painted herself as a modern-day Cleopatra, dressed in a simple green sleeveless blouse.

For my work, Rita’s aquiline nose, the triangular collar and the glowing shell buttons are distilled into geometric shapes.

Angus saw Cleopatra as a peaceful and strong queen, and ancient Egypt’s culture one that granted women legal autonomy.  In the time of Cleopatra’s rule equality and respect for women were central to the dynasty - yet the idea of governance over our own bodies seems scarily tenuous for women in parts of the world today.

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My acknowledgement to Jill Trevelyan, and her text about Cleopatra in her book­­­ Rita Angus: An Artist’s life (Te Papa Press, 2nd edition, 2021), pp 94-97

Marilyn Jones Instagram: ___marilynjones