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Caterina Maffeis

Jacques Clément Wagrez (1850–1908)
Caesar and Cleopatra
Watercolor on wove paper
Sheet: 42 × 79 cm | Framed: 64 × 99 cm
Signed lower right: Jacques Wagrez

Jacques Clément Wagrez was a French painter, illustrator, and decorator, known for his refined historical compositions and meticulous attention to detail. The son of portraitist Edmond Wagrez, he received his artistic training at the Beaux-Arts de Paris, studying under Isidore Pils, Henri Lehmann, and later Jules Eugène Lenepveu. His formative years included a Grand Tour of Italy, where he was deeply influenced by the Venetian and Florentine Renaissance, shaping his distinctive style.

Wagrez debuted at the Salon in 1870, gaining recognition for his watercolors and portraits. As a sought-after artist, he received commissions to decorate prestigious Parisian palaces and private residences. He was a member of the Société des Artistes Français and was honored with the Palmes Académiques.

In Caesar and Cleopatra, Wagrez presents a richly detailed and narratively compelling depiction of the historic meeting between Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, and Julius Caesar, the Roman general and statesman. The scene unfolds in Alexandria following Caesar’s victory over Cleopatra’s co-ruler, brother, and husband, Ptolemy XII. Their alliance, which evolved into a scandalous love affair, led to the birth of Caesarion—Caesar’s only acknowledged son—and ultimately played a role in the turbulent events leading to Caesar’s assassination.

The artwork is characterized by its intricate composition and careful rendering of classical themes, which were among Wagrez’s favored subjects. The sheet is in good condition, with minor rippling and handling creases consistent with its age. Some discoloration, slight foxing (mainly on the reverse), and small tears near the edges are visible. The piece is presented in an authentic gilded Empire-style frame, which remains in good condition.

Provenance:

Private collection, France (2018)
Private collection, Tallinn, Estonia (2022)
Flegma Gallery, Tallinn/Amsterdam

Watercolour on paper - Hand signed

Jacques Clément Wagrez (1850-1908) - Caesar and Cleopatra

Classical Art & Impressionism

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