The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-07
MANY HAVE SEEN
"CLEOPATRA."
Tiney MOIina's Conception of the
Egyptian Queen.

Egyptian Queen.
Tiney Molina's conception of Cleo
pAtra, which has been on exhibition
on Bull and Liberty streets during the
past week, has been the subject of
much favorable comment from those
who have seen the work of the young
artist. The painting is perfect in de-
tail. the cultured eye of the critic find
ing little in it to criticise. The con-
ception is pleasing. Its execution was
the result of much historical research
by the painter, and though it is diff
ferent from the. generally accepted por-
trayal it is undoubtedly more interest
ing and more beautiful.
The painting has been so located by
the artist as to show to its best adj
vantage, it being situate in a dark
room in a. frame of black and lighted
by electric lights. A description of
the p5inting is best gotten from the
following bit of descriptive literature,
which is handed the visitor:
The picture does not show origi-
nality because Cleopatra is in the
nude, but shows originality in the ex-
preston of her nudity. A queen she
stands, marvel of physical perfec-
ton, just as though preparing for her
bath. She suggests revery, yet the
voluptuous is in every line of her form;
true to her nature, passion, never abb
sent from her heart, is there, but sub
dued and subservient to some pro-
found emotion or influence which is
subtly suggested not forced upon the
beholder. What next you ask, and her
eyes tell nothing; their look is far
away, their sweetness and evil are
slumbering, not dead. What is il the
full, red sensuous lips say? Nothing.
Yet you pause to hear them speak, to
hear them voice the spirit of her
dreams. An enclkantress, enchanted Ly
some mystic spell. Is she listening to
the serpent that is on the pillar near
her, with his tongue greedily extended
as though he would taste, yet mock
her unveiled beauty? IT'S a strange
picture. The more you view it he
more you think and wonder. The re-
markable effects of her skin mingling
with the pink; the harmony of 1t all.
It's a picture of unrest; many Iues-
tons does it make one ask, and yet
none does it answer. Is she thinking
of her licentious life; her murders?
Her brother-husband slain in battle?
husband, married because he brought
a throne, and then poisoned that she
might be free to WOO to conquer and to
slay?
"Is the snake symbolic of that evil
spirit which she fought against, come
to taunt her, to prove his mastery Is
she foreseeing Actium and feeling
though vaguely that doubt which made
her desert her lord Anthony? Or is
she listeneing for his footsteps to come
to her that he might love her once
more despite her weakness, and in
plying her for it forgive the treach-
cry which made her false to him? Is
she preparing for that last bath before
the last feast, locking into The mys-
teries beyond, knowing that be-
fore she Will soon feast no more. but
mingle with the universe?
''In her face are devil and angel, but
underlying IL all an mistaken courage
Is there. IL was her one redeeming
trait; In everything else was she vile.
This bravery defied the ghosts OF her
past sins. nor feared 10 face the phan-
tom Of the future. This made her a
aueen-made II possible for her 10 con-
tinue her wanton career as long as she
did. Thus we see her In the wonderful
conception Of the artist~wOnderful IN
that the creative d supreme Nude she