Cleopatra. Sketch of a decorative milik panel for the Metropol Hotel in Moscow Alexander Golovin (1863-1930)

The drawing presents a figure within an arched composition, seemingly intended as part of a larger decorative scheme. The overall effect is one of stylized elegance and restrained drama.
Here we see a woman positioned centrally, her posture suggesting both contemplation and a degree of regal composure. She wears a long, flowing garment that drapes around her form, its pale hue contrasting with the darker tones surrounding her. Her gaze is directed towards an unseen point beyond the frame, contributing to a sense of mystery and distance. The artist has rendered her features with a simplified grace, avoiding excessive detail in favor of conveying a certain idealized beauty.
The background establishes a landscape setting. A body of water stretches into the distance, its surface reflecting the foliage that dominates the right side of the composition. Dense trees are depicted using a pattern of dark green and black lines, creating a sense of depth and enclosure. Along the lower edge, stylized floral motifs and what appear to be serpentine forms add an element of exoticism and symbolic richness. The use of geometric patterns in the background – particularly the grid-like structure – suggests a deliberate attempt to integrate the figure into a larger decorative framework.
The color palette is limited but effective. Pale yellows and creams are used for the woman’s garment and the water, while greens and blacks dominate the foliage. Small touches of red introduce visual interest and perhaps allude to themes of passion or danger. The arched format itself contributes to the overall sense of grandeur and monumentality, appropriate for a setting such as a hotel interior.
Subtexts within this drawing appear to revolve around notions of femininity, power, and exoticism. The woman’s posture and attire suggest an elevated status, while the landscape evokes a distant, perhaps opulent locale. The serpentine forms at the base introduce a layer of symbolic complexity – snakes often represent temptation, wisdom, or transformation – which could be interpreted as hinting at hidden depths beneath the surface elegance. The overall effect is one of carefully constructed artifice, designed to evoke a sense of luxury and intrigue within its intended environment.