Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is still under copyright. Rita Angus died in 1970; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2040. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.
In context
Cleopatra — Rita Angus
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 62 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Rita Angus (1908–1970) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/rita-angus-cleopatra-A2ABUD-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Sea Green #108756
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 10 works by this artist, of which 2 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Hastings, New Zealand
Henrietta Catherine Angus, known to the world as Rita Angus, stands as a monumental figure in 20th-century New Zealand art. Born on March 12, 1908, in Hastings, she emerged from a family life marked by frequent relocation due to her father’s carpentry and construction work – a nomadic upbringing that perhaps fostered within her a keen observational eye and an independent spirit. As the eldest of seven children, Rita demonstrated artistic talent early on, receiving private lessons that nurtured her burgeoning passion. Her formal education at Palmerston North Girls' High School from 1922 to 1926 further solidified this path, with teachers recognizing and encouraging her innate abilities. This foundation led her to Canterbury College School of Art in Christchurch in 1927, where she immersed herself in traditional training – life drawing, still life, and landscape painting – under the tutelage of Richard Wallwork, Archibald Nicoll, Cecil Kelly, and Leonard Booth. Though she didn’t complete a diploma, her intermittent studies there until 1933 proved crucial, exposing her to Renaissance and medieval art which would profoundly shape her artistic sensibilities.
The early years of Rita Angus's career were marked by both personal upheaval and artistic exploration. Her marriage in 1930 to fellow artist Alfred Cook was short-lived, ending in separation in 1934 and divorce five years later. This period, however, coincided with her emergence as an exhibiting artist, gaining recognition within the Canterbury Society of Arts for her portraits and landscapes. It was during these formative years that Angus began to develop a style uniquely her own – one characterized by clear, hard-edged forms, simplified shapes, and a vibrant, often emotionally charged color palette. She moved away from strict realism, embracing a modernist expression that prioritized personal vision over mere representation. This stylistic evolution wasn’t born in isolation; she was deeply influenced by Byzantine art, the geometric fragmentation of Cubism, and the work of English painter Christopher Perkins, particularly his evocative depiction of Mount Taranaki which captured the unique quality of New Zealand light. Angus also drew inspiration from Far Eastern aesthetics and philosophies, integrating these diverse influences into a cohesive artistic language. Crucially, she wasn’t striving to define a specifically national style; her ambition was more profound – to establish an authentic artistic voice that reflected her own inner world and “love of humanity and faith in mankind.”
The 1930s and 40s saw Angus painting scenes primarily focused on the landscapes of Canterbury and Otago. It was during this period that she created Cass (1936), a deceptively simple depiction of a small railway station, which would later be voted New Zealand’s most-loved painting in a 2006 poll – a testament to its enduring resonance. But Angus's artistic response wasn't limited to the physical landscape; she was deeply affected by the political and social climate of her time. Her pacifist beliefs found expression in a series of three goddess images created during the 1940s, with Rutu becoming perhaps the most iconic representation of this theme – a powerful symbol of peace and resilience. In the early 1950s, she embarked on travels throughout New Zealand, resulting in evocative landscapes like *Central Otago*, capturing the stark beauty of the region. A move to Wellington in 1955 brought new subjects into focus: scenes of the city and Hawke’s Bay, alongside a continued dedication to portraiture. Angus was a prolific portraitist, skillfully capturing not just likeness but also the inner lives and personalities of her sitters. Equally compelling were her numerous self-portraits – over fifty in total – where she explored different roles and guises, offering intimate glimpses into her own evolving identity. Her 1958 New Zealand Art Societies’ Fellowship allowed for travel to London and Europe, broadening her exposure to both modern and traditional art forms, which further enriched her artistic vocabulary. She also undertook a significant commission, painting a mural at Napier Girls' High School commemorating the victims of the devastating 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake – a poignant tribute to loss and remembrance.
The later years of Rita Angus’s life were shadowed by mental illness; she spent time at Sunnyside Mental Hospital in the late 1940s, and her condition deteriorated leading up to her death from ovarian cancer on January 25, 1970, in Wellington. While recognition came relatively late during her lifetime, her reputation soared posthumously. Major exhibitions of her work were organized, solidifying her position as a central figure in New Zealand art history. Today, Rita Angus is celebrated not only for her artistic achievements but also for her pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to her vision. Her unique style – the precise lines, bold colors, and symbolic depth – continues to inspire generations of artists. The preservation of her former home in Wellington as the Rita Angus Cottage, now an artist residency, stands as a tangible testament to her legacy, providing a space where contemporary artists can connect with her spirit and continue pushing creative boundaries. Angus’s commitment to art, coupled with her profound belief in its power to express peace, humanity, and individual identity, ensures that her work will resonate with audiences for years to come.
Cass (1936): Perhaps her most famous painting, depicting a Canterbury railway station with striking clarity and symbolism.
Rutu (1940s): A powerful representation of peace and feminine strength as part of her goddess series.
Central Otago (early 1950s): An evocative landscape capturing the stark beauty of New Zealand’s interior.
Fay and Jane Birkinshaw (1946): A compelling portrait showcasing her skill in capturing personality and relationships.
Self-Portraits (various dates): Over fifty self-portraits offering intimate glimpses into the artist’s evolving identity.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/rita-angus-cleopatra-A2ABUD-en/
Look closely
Cleopatra — Rita Angus
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The colors in "Cleopatra" by Rita Angus have a vivid intensity.
"Cleopatra" by Rita Angus uses a dark color palette. The palette summarizes the work's overall color character.
"Cleopatra" by Rita Angus can be previewed on your own wall with the artwork's AR Preview page, using augmented reality on a compatible device.
To get a print of "Cleopatra" by Rita Angus, simply order it on this page: a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper.
A slideshow is available: the Diaporama page of "Cleopatra" by Rita Angus.
"Cleopatra" by Rita Angus can be downloaded from the artwork's Download page, as a high-resolution digital image download.
"Cleopatra" represents the Early Modern of Rita Angus.
The contrast level of "Cleopatra" by Rita Angus is serene.