Cleopatra’s Mask

Cleopatra’s Mask Colourised goldpoint drawing in 24K gold, aluminium and platinum metals with 24K gold leaf, watercolour, acrylic glaze on 300gsm rag art infinity grade paper 72cm x 52cm by ARC Living Master Gordon Hanley.

The most recognisable work of ancient Egyptian art is undoubtedly the solid gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. While that remarkable find made the young king the most famous of all Pharaohs, he was in reality a relatively minor ruler. Only one other Egyptian monarch has captured the public imagination to a similar degree—Cleopatra VII, the last Pharaoh of Egypt. Following the defeat of Cleopatra and Mark Antony by Octavian in 30 BC, Roman accounts record that the couple were buried together with full honours. Their tomb, however, has never been found, and its discovery would rank among the greatest archaeological finds in history.

Created for the Opera series, Cleopatra’s Mask is an imaginative interpretation of what Cleopatra’s funerary mask might have looked like. Inspired by Tutankhamun’s iconic burial mask, the work replaces his likeness with the most familiar modern image of Cleopatra—the face of Elizabeth Taylor from the classic 1963 film. Her vivid blue-violet eyes remain, creating a striking human connection that contrasts with the timeless symbolism of the golden mask. Rather than illustrating a scene from Aida, this work was conceived as a stand-alone tribute to the enduring mystery and splendour of ancient Egypt. Combining watercolour, acrylic, metalpoint and more than 80 sheets of 24-carat gold leaf, the artwork demanded the development of new techniques to successfully integrate precious metal with traditional painting media.

The extensive use of gold leaf presented significant technical challenges. To achieve the rich, lifelike surface, each sheet required careful preparation and glazing. The gold was personally hand-beaten to the desired thickness and texture, echoing the centuries-old methods traditionally associated with master gold leaf artisans. Balancing the brilliance of the gold against the darker background while preserving the subtle hieroglyphic detail added another level of complexity. Completed over four months and more than 500 hours of studio work, Cleopatra’s Mask reflects both meticulous craftsmanship and artistic imagination. It celebrates the enduring fascination with Egypt’s last queen while inviting viewers to imagine one of archaeology’s greatest “what if” discoveries—a lost royal tomb preserved through time. Alongside the original, a limited edition of 20 prints has been produced, each incorporating hand-beaten 24-carat gold leaf, making every print a unique work in its own right.

 Original metalpoint drawing by ARC Living Master Gordon Hanley.