The painting depicts Lucretia as a half-length, standing nude figure with an overcoat.
Lucretia has inclined her head slightly to the left and she stares into the far distance. Her left arm is raised and with her hand she touches her hair. Her right hand points the short dagger
The painting depicts Lucretia as a half-length, standing nude figure with an overcoat.
Lucretia has inclined her head slightly to the left and she stares into the far distance. Her left arm is raised and with her hand she touches her hair. Her right hand points the short dagger upwards and touches a point between her breasts.
Lucretia wears an embroidered fur-trimmed overcoat. Beneath this a transparent undergarment is visible. Her hair is pinned up and decorated with thin band. She wears numerous pieces of jewellery: a long thick chain, a chain necklace and bracelet.
The background is dark.
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]
- Attributions
-
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attributions
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2010] |
Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, 118, No. 240H] |
Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder | 'school of Lucas Cranach' [Yeide 2009, 238, No. A52] |
- Production dates
- 1525 - 1550
1526 - 1537
Production dates
1525 - 1550 | Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, reversed 2009] |
1526 - 1537 | [Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, 118, No. 240H] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 74 x 53.5 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 74 x 53.5 cm
[Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, revised 2010]
- Signature / Dating
None
- Owner
- Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
- Repository
- Alte Pinakothek, Munich
- Location
- Munich
- CDA ID
- DE_BStGS_13257
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR240H
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_BStGS_13257/