Theta Barra's Life and Work

Theta Barra was born in Egypt to a French actress and Italian sculptor who raised their daughter, an attempt in the shadow of the great Sphinx. Theta proudly claimed to have done extensive research to play real-life historical figures like Cleopatra and Madame Dubari. In order to register on celluloid actresses had to wear thick yellow pancake makeup, with their eyes blackened and their lips painted brown. She felt, she'd say later, like a lost soul.