Lucretia is depicted as a three quarter length figure against a black background. She wears a grey robe and a shimmering silver brocade coat trimmed with fur, which reveals her breast and stomach. Her right hand is raised, poised to stab herself with the dagger. Her hair is pinned up
Lucretia is depicted as a three quarter length figure against a black background. She wears a grey robe and a shimmering silver brocade coat trimmed with fur, which reveals her breast and stomach. Her right hand is raised, poised to stab herself with the dagger. Her hair is pinned up underneath her bonnet and a broad gold chain with a pendant decorated with pearls and precious stones hangs around her neck.
[Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel, revised 2011]
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]
- Attribution
- Copy after Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attribution
| Copy after Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel, revised 2011] |
- Production dates
- about 1600 - 1800
mid 16th century or later
Production dates
| about 1600 - 1800 | [Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel, revised 2011] |
| mid 16th century or later | [Koepplin, Exhib. Cat. Basel 1974, 662, No. 577] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 86 x 60.5 x 0.7 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 86 x 60.5 x 0.7 cm
(original)
[Heydenreich, CDA 2010]
- Signature / Dating
None
- Inscriptions and Labels
Reverse of the panel: - centre:
handwritten in black ink 'No. 156 ?' (not very legible)[Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel, …
Inscriptions and Labels
Stamps, Seals, Labels:
Reverse of the panel: - centre:
handwritten in black ink 'No. 156 ?' (not very legible)
[Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel, revised 2011]
- Owner
- Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel
- Repository
- Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel
- Location
- Basel
- CDA ID
- CH_KMB_178
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR-none
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/CH_KMB_178/
