The mystery of Cleopatra: the exhibition on the famous Egyptian queen at the IMA

She's a mythical figure of ancient history: discover the secrets of Cleopatra, the inimitable Queen of Egypt, with the exhibition "The Cleopatra Mystery", presented at the Institut du Monde Arabe from June 11, 2025 to January 11, 2026.

Her name and legend have stood the test of time: Cleopatra VII ruledancient Egypt over 2,000 years ago. The mythical ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty is one of the best-known figures of the ancient world, but reality doesn't always support the many stories told about Cleopatra.

TheInstitut du Monde Arabe lifts the veil on this essential queen with the exhibition Le mystère Cléopâtre, on view from June 11, 2025 to January 11, 2026.

Today, Cleopatra is seen as a seductress and strategist, known for her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and associated with passion, death, wealth and war. For centuries, her story has been romanticized in plays, operas and ballets, novels, paintings, films, sculptures... But there's no guarantee that it's true. Indeed, no ancient biography gives credence to the stories told about Cleopatra, and her reign is largely studied through the prism of Western eyes.

How can we disentangle the real from the fake, find the historical figure within the legend? The Institut du Monde Arabe wants to paint a more realistic, documented portrait of the Queen of Egypt, far removed from the fantasies and fictional figures constructed at the whim of artists.

Thanks to the latest historical and archaeological research , this exhibition aims to re-establish the truth about Cleopatra VII, and deciphers the cultural phenomenon surrounding the sovereign and her legend. The exhibition is divided into two main sections: history and myth.

In the first part, you can admire archaeological remains, pieces of ancient Egypt, jewels, reliefs and sculptures, religious objects dating back to the time of Cleopatra VII. Here, facts and historical research do the talking. But depending on the source, these stories can be biased. This is why the Institut du Monde Arabe examines both the information propagated in the West, and that written by historians from the Arab world: two very different versions, which do not speak of the sovereign in the same way. On the one hand, the seductress, the "demented queen" and nymphomaniac; on the other, an erudite woman, a great architect and protector of her people.

The IMA then turns its attention to the myths surrounding the Egyptian queen, stories that are largely fantasized and adapted to suit the times and mores of society. Cleopatra VII is akin to Joan of Arc, ready to sacrifice herself for her ideals and her freedom. She is also a femme fatale, a figure of sensual, decadent Orientalism. The image of Cleopatra VII has also become iconic thanks to the actresses who have brought her to life in theater and film: Liz Taylor and Sarah Bernhardt have helped make this queen, who died over 2000 years ago, immortal. The tour is enriched by creations bycontemporary artists, offering yet another new perspective on this historic figure.

The IMA exhibition is surprising in many ways. The institute has set itself a major challenge, attempting to sum up several centuries of history and legend in a single tour. So, although we'd have liked to see more information, more objects and works, and more in-depth analysis of certain subjects, we still enjoy a very rich and varied tour. We discover with curiosity the different representations of Cleopatra VII: the queen's appearance changes enormously depending on the country and the era. You'll appreciate the cinema and theater costumes, and the film extracts featuring the sovereign. And we discover with interest how Cleopatra is perceived in Arab history and imagination, in a culture far removed from our own.

A fascinating exhibition, to be discovered at theIMA from summer 2025!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.