Visit to the National Gallery

Year 7 Extension and ACL students along with Year 8 Extension classes visited the National Gallery of Victoria on the 2nd of May. For some students it was the first time they had visited the gallery. It was an opportunity for them to interact with the finest collection of art in the state. The students responded to the artwork in various ways and they were inspired to translate their experience into words.

Many students wrote about the famous painting by Tiepolo and some of the writing is here for you to enjoy.

Ms Janet McKenzie

ACL Teacher 

A Gamble for Decades

by Christine Vong

   A fallen kingdom,

powered only by greed.

A wager to be the most grand and lavish,

Causes only corruption and jealousy.

An eager crowd awaiting action.

His discouraged glare,

A crystalline star held between her fingers,

Her face vying for triumph.

The Banquet of Cleopatra

by Lily Tran

Filled with competition and determination,

her eyes pierced Antony's soul.

With grace and elegance, she removed her pearl earring.

Silencing all in sight with her raised arm above the glass,

she lets the exquisite and eye-catching pearl slip from her fingertips.

Making head turns and people gasp,

she takes in the vinegar with a smug face.

Leaving everyone in awe, she looks back at Antony.

Conquered and crushed, he knew further effort would be in vain.

Cleopatra's victory was secured.

THE Banquet of Cleopatra

by Lisa Ho

Eager to achieve a purposeless bet,

She holds her extraordinary, unique and incomparable pearl,

Cleopatra drops it into the piquant liquid of vinegar,

Everyone stops to stare at this rare moment especially the adjudicator,

The earring disintegrates into the watery substance,

Humiliated and defeated Mark Antony takes a step back knowing that his feast is no match for Cleopatra,

Cleopatra, wins feeling accomplished and completed.

A Shining Pearl

by Jessica T

A shining pearl

The precious jewel was unhooked,

As she positioned herself

Struck with certitude

And conceit.

She conveyed a look of vain

Indulged in riches and decadence

And a life of sumptuousness.

Silence remained,

As if being pierced impetuously.

Unconcealed was a look of glory,

‘Twas a shining pearl,

That held awaited victory.

The Banquet of Cleopatra

by Anh-Thu Tran

“Come quick! Cleopatra is holding the banquet!” Everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed outside. A banquet? I thought as I pushed past the crowd. People were spreading themselves along the wall, trying to get a view of the event. Cleopatra and Mark Antony were staring at each other intensely, the atmosphere almost overwhelming. Oh! It was the day where Cleopatra held her banquet for their wager, I thought as I watched the intense scene in front of me. Cleopatra had made a bet with Mark Antony to see who could hold the most extravagant banquet. To be honest, I never thought that Mark Antony would stand a chance as Cleopatra was the most glorious person in the world and she would never lose at anything, no matter how difficult the challenge was.

Cleopatra sat there, her gaze unwavering. Slowly she moved her hand to her ear, carefully removing one of her earrings. She held it up high, the pearl shining in the sunlight. I gasped. Although I could barely see it, I could tell that it was priceless; one would not be able to obtain it very easily. I thought Cleopatra was wealthy but I didn’t think that she would have something so beautiful. Before I could say anything, she called out to one of her personal attendants, telling them to bring a glass of vinegar. The atmosphere intensified as she held the pearl over the glass. Nobody dared to move or breathe. Cleopatra’s every movement was slowed, everything was focused on her. The pearl landed in the vinegar and dissolved with no trace of it left. Raising the glass, she looked smugly at Mark Antony. The horror started to seep out as he tried to regain his composure. Before anyone could do anything, Cleopatra lifted the glass to her lips and drank the vinegar. Silence greeted her action, the atmosphere more intense than anybody could imagine.

The birds’ song broke the silence, people dazed from the trance. Mark Antony’s composure broke as he admitted defeat. Everybody sighed, their hearts pounding. My heart felt like it was going to explode. Every detail of that event was carved into my mind, the beautiful Egyptian queen shining in glory while the crowd cheered for her. Soon, the crowd dispersed, everyone going back to their duties with the breathtaking atmosphere still lingering.

The Banquet Of Cleopatra

by Cathy Pham

I clench my fist, I grit my teeth,

I take a deep breath, in and out,

Adrenaline within me, my heart pounds,

Time freezes, as my head slowly eases,

A spark catches my eye, what could that be?

It looks priceless,

Exactly like my expression, as my jaw drops to the ground,

I can’t believe it, what she has planned,

Oh how very cunning,

And how it looks ever so stunning,

As her finger lets go with pure ease,

She gives a look, ever so pleased,

I try not to show, my confidence - flown,

Flown away so quick, just in one tick,

I have faced defeat, for her it’s so sweet,

As she drinks her glass, for where the pearl has dissolved,

This will never be resolved.