Anthony and Cleopatra

Detail of the ceiling of the Venus salon, this spandrel depicts the Roman Emperor Anthony and Queen Cleopatra, recognisable from the asp that she holds in her right hand. The couple is chained by garlands of flowers held by Venus, the goddess of love, shown in the central part of the ceiling. This spandrel, with the three others of the room, forms part of a series depicting couples who experienced the force of love, thus showing the power of the goddess.