Death of Lucretia, c. 1500-1503
Israhel van Meckenemexpand_more
Engravingexpand_more
Bequest of Herschel V. Jonesexpand_more P.68.234
Not on Viewexpand_more
Artists were riveted by the story of Lucretia after a statue assumed to be her was unearthed in Rome in 1500. In Roman historian Livy's account, Lucretia had proved herself so virtuous that Tarquinius, her husband's friend, gave himself the challenge of defiling her. He arrived at her house pretending to be a guest, then, in Lucretia's words, "took his pleasure of me." Unable to live with her shame, Lucretia killed herself, but not before getting her family and friends to promise revenge on Tarquinius. Israhel van Meckenem gives us not only her theatrical suicide but also scenes of the infamous rape and her confession.
Details
- Title
- Death of Lucretia
- Artist Life
- c. 1445–1503
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.68.234
- Provenance
- Jos. Grünling, L.1463; Sir John Hippisley; Paul Davidson, L.654 (sale II, 1920, No. 1314); F. Bernstein (see Lugt 9826 & Lehr); Colnaghi; Harlow, 1925
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Holl. 516; B.168; Lehrs 516; NGA 231; L.IX.406.516
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.