Minneapolis Institute of Art

Lucretia

Rembrandt van Rijn

Date

1666

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

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 woman’s perceived virtue was more valuable than her life. Netherlands, Europe

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