Stage Design for Cleopatra

ca. 1918

Not on view

The Ballets Russes first performed Cleopatra at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on May 19, 1909, with sets and costumes designed by Léon Bakst. The production became part of the company’s repertoire and was performed repeatedly until the sets and costumes were destroyed in a fire in 1917. In 1918 the ballet was redesigned with sets by Robert Delaunay and costumes by his wife, Sonia Delaunay (see MMA 2007.49.36). A key figure of Orphism, Delaunay applied the intense color principles of the movement to his set designs; the production premiered at the Coliseum Theatre in London on September 5, 1918.

Artwork Details

Title: Stage Design for Cleopatra
Artist: Robert Delaunay (French, Paris 1885–1941 Montpellier)
Date: ca. 1918
Medium: Gouache and metallic paint over graphite on paper
Dimensions: 13 5/8 × 18 5/8 in. (34.6 × 47.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Bequest of William S. Lieberman, 2005
Object Number: 2007.49.35
Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

By Robert Delaunay

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Study for "Portuguese Woman Pouring", Robert Delaunay French, Pen and black ink and graphite on tracing paper — Study for "Portuguese Woman Pouring"
Robert Delaunay
ca. 1915–16

Saint Peter's Seen From the Pincio, Rome, Henri-Joseph Harpignies French, Pen and black ink, brush, gray and blue-gray washes — Saint Peter's Seen From the Pincio, Rome
Henri-Joseph Harpignies
1856

Freedom of Speech, Faith Ringgold American, Gouache, acrylic paint, metallic paint and porous-point pen with graphite on paper — Freedom of Speech
Faith Ringgold
1990

The Eiffel Tower and Curtain, Robert Delaunay French, Lithograph crayon on brown paper — The Eiffel Tower and Curtain
Robert Delaunay
1910

Violin or Viola Bow, Brazilwood, other materials, French — Violin or Viola Bow
French
late 19th or early 20th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.