Lucretia

Rembrandt van Rijn

1666

Oil on canvas

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A woman in ornate clothing holds a dagger in her left hand and a chain in her right, looking towards the viewer with a somber expression. A red stain is visible on her white garment. A woman in ornate clothing holds a dagger in her left hand and a chain in her right, looking towards the viewer with a somber expression. A red stain is visible on her white garment. Rembrandt tells the story of Lucretia through her solemn and saddened gaze, in the traces of blood on her gown, and the dagger in her hand. The wife of a Roman nobleman, Lucretia was known for her loyalty and virtue. She was raped by Sextus Tarquinius, the son of the ruling tyrant. Lucretia revealed the crime to her husband and father, and, in their presence, took her own life. She chose death in order to prevent dishonor, at a time and place when a wom