Lucretia

The painting depicts Lucretia as a seated half-length figure in contemporary dress and with contemporary accessories.

Lucretia's head is inclined slightly to the left, but her gaze is directed at the viewer. Her hair is pinned up. She wears a white undergarment revealing her breast and a fur-trimmed gown covers her shoulders. Her left hand rest in her lap and in her right hand she holds the dagger, which is raised slightly. She wears a chain with a pendant and two large linked chains around her neck. The background is dark.

[Herrschaft, cda 2012]

According to the legend Lucretia lived in the 6th century BC and was the beautiful and virtuous wife of the roman Collatinus. The roman King's son - Sextus Tarquinius fell in love with her. During a stay in her house Sextus threatened to kill her and shame her honour if she did not surrender to him. After the rape Lucretia had her father and husband vow vengeance and then she stabbed herself. The event led to an uprising in which the royal family was overthrown and the Roman Empire became a Republic.

Depictions of Lucretia who was seen as the epitomy of female virtue, chastity, fidelity and honour enjoyed great popularity, particularly in the 16th century.

[Literature: Bierende 2002, Follak 2002, Livius 1909]