👑 Mid-Century Surrealist Painting Cleopatra’s Last Dream: The Death of a Queen

👑 Original Signed Mid-Century Surrealist Watercolour – “Cleopatra’s Last Dream: The Death of a Queen” by Wenda Jerrum (c.1960) – British Narrative Surrealism – Egyptian Mythology – Framed

🎨 Subject & Medium

Offered for sale is a captivating original mid-century Surrealist watercolour titled “Cleopatra’s Last Dream: The Death of a Queen”, created circa 1960s by British artist Wenda Jerrum.

This rare and evocative piece stands as a prime example of British Narrative Surrealism, fusing historical drama, psychological symbolism, and dreamlike distortion into a single, emotionally charged composition.

🖌️ Composition & Technique – Surrealist Vision

At first glance, the scene reads as a dramatic historical tableau, but Jerrum’s Surrealist narrative style quickly becomes clear through her distorted figures, symbolic staging, and psychological tension.

The Central Figure:
Cleopatra appears both as sovereign and archetype—caught mid-motion, raising a poisoned dagger with an expression that hovers between resignation and transcendence. Her gaze is distant, almost disconnected from the present moment.

Surrounding Figures:
A swirl of maidens in flowing gowns recoil in suspended horror, while a powerful male figure in blue and gold robesappears to grapple with the enormous, dark wings of a Bennu bird (Egyptian Phoenix)—a direct Surrealist metaphor for death, rebirth, and cosmic transformation.

Key Surrealist Elements:

• Distorted Spatial Reality: Figures twist and elongate, caught in an almost liquid dream-state, where depth and perspective warp unnaturally.

• Symbolic Juxtaposition: Classical historical realism (Cleopatra) fuses with mythic surrealism (oversized Bennu bird, exaggerated gestures, theatrical poses).

• Psychological Drama: Every figure seems frozen between action and paralysis—capturing a charged, inner narrative typical of mid-century Surrealist tension.

• Colour Symbolism:

  • Cool blues & whites: Emotional detachment, mourning

  • Rich golds & browns: Spiritual transcendence

  • Pinks & blacks: Passion, fear, and human frailty

  • Checkered floor: Geometric unreality—heightening the dreamlike psychological space

Jerrum’s fluid linework, layered watercolour washes, and deliberate figure exaggeration elevate this piece beyond historical illustration into a psychological dream-portrait of Cleopatra’s final moments.

👑 About the Sitter – Cleopatra VII: A Surrealist Archetype

Cleopatra VII (69 BCE – 30 BCE) remains one of history’s most mythologized female figures. Here, Jerrum reinterprets Cleopatra as an eternal Surrealist muse—symbolizing feminine power, seduction, mortality, and mythic self-determination.

The surrounding figures blur the line between literal court attendants and projected fragments of Cleopatra’s own emotional and mental state—fear, resistance, acceptance, and longing.

🧑🎨 About the Artist – Wenda Jerrum & Signature

Though Wenda Jerrum remains underrepresented in mainstream art history texts, she is emerging as a notable mid-century British female Surrealist voice, attracting increasing attention from collectors seeking narrative-driven, emotionally charged surrealist works.

Hallmarks of Jerrum’s Style:

• Mythic and psychological storytelling

• Emotional figuration

• Surreal, dreamlike reimaginings of historical scenes

The artwork is hand-signed by the artist in the bottom right corner: “Wenda Jerrum”, providing clear authentication.

🖼️ Frame & Size

Professionally framed in a Larson-Juhl Canaletto moulded frame, featuring a gold and pewter foil spray finish with a spoon profile design—carefully chosen to complement the painting’s tonal drama and Surrealist mood.

Framed Dimensions:

• Width: 51 cm

• Height: 69 cm

• Depth: 3.5 cm

Ready to Hang

✅ Condition Report

Artwork Condition:
Good original condition with some minor foxing staining in areas, consistent with age and medium. Colour vibrancy remains strong, with no overpainting or restoration to the primary image.

Frame Condition:
Excellent. No major scratches, chips, or glazing defects. Glass remains clean, clear, and scratch-free.

🧾 Provenance

• Sourced from a Private UK Collection

• Formerly held by Grays & Sons Carlisle LTD 🏛️

• Curated and managed by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

✅ Emotionally Dramatic & Visually Arresting: A powerful Surrealist reimagining of Cleopatra’s final act—charged with mythic and psychological tension.
✅ Rare Example of British Narrative Surrealism: Mid-century Surrealist works by female British artists are highly sought after—this is a rare find.
✅ Collectible and Investment-Worthy: Growing market interest in mid-century female Surrealists makes this a strong future investment.
✅ Immediate Visual Impact: A dramatic, conversation-starting centrepiece for any home, gallery, or curated art collection.
✅ Ready to Display: Beautifully presented in a high-quality Larson-Juhl frame—ready for immediate hanging.

🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available
Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe international delivery.

🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

📩 Inquire now to secure this unique piece