Lucretia

Lucretia

Title

Lucretia

[https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4403] (accessed 01.09.2017)

Painting on wood, transferred to board

Medium

Painting on wood, transferred to board

The painting shows the classical heroine Lucretia as a three quarter length seated nude figure, depicted holding a cloak against a dark backdrop with a view of a landscape. Lucretia is turned slightly towards the left side of the image and her head is also turned in this direction, whereas

The painting shows the classical heroine Lucretia as a three quarter length seated nude figure, depicted holding a cloak against a dark backdrop with a view of a landscape. Lucretia is turned slightly towards the left side of the image and her head is also turned in this direction, whereas she gazes upward into vacant space. Both her hands rest in her lap and clasp the dagger, which she points at her chest. She sits on her fur-trimmed cloak that only covers her knees. Her jewellery comprises of a linked chain and a neckband. In addition her hair is pinned up under a snood with only isolated loose strands. The background is dark, but a window in the right section of the image indicates that she is seated in a room, and offers a view of a mountainous landscape with a river.

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
Lucas Cranach the Elder (and Workshop)
Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attributions

Lucas Cranach the Elder (and Workshop)

[https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4403] (accessed 01.09.2017, no longer available)

Lucas Cranach the Elder
Production date
about 1526 - 1537

Production date

about 1526 - 1537

[https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4403] (accessed 01.09.2017)
[Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, 118, Nr. 240J]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 61 x 40.6 cm

Dimensions

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia underneath the window: winged serpent

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia underneath the window: winged serpent

Owner
Private Collection
Repository
Private Collection
CDA ID
US_BMNY_21-142
FR (1978) Nr.
FR240J
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/US_BMNY_21-142/

Provenance

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979 118 No. 240J
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
EditorG. Schwartz
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBasel, Boston, Stuttgart
Year of Publication1979
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1932 198l
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1932
Link http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/friedlaender1932

Research History / Discussion

Among the numerous representations of Lucretia from the workshop of Cranach the Elder, there are very few versions where the dagger is held in both hands.

[Herrschaft, cda 2017]

  • Lucretia, about 1526 - 1537

Images

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Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Lucretia', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/US_BMNY_21-142/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Lucretia', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/US_BMNY_21-142/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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