It’s not difficult to recognise the reference to Cleopatra, Egypt’s most iconic queen, but the elements within this painting draw on some unexpected sources. The bird depicted is a female bowerbird, chosen for its violet eyes—a nod to Elizabeth Taylor, who portrayed Cleopatra in the 1963 film. Taylor was known for her striking violet irises, a rare and memorable feature.

The pedestal beneath the bird is in the Egyptian Revival style, popular in the United States during the 1860s and 1870s. The wallpaper behind her is based on a 1932 upholstery design in the Art Deco style, a movement that often drew inspiration from Ancient Egypt.

Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator ruled the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC. She was the last active ruler of the Hellenistic dynasty, bringing an end to centuries of Greek rule in Egypt.