Artwork
Tarquin and Lucretia
Tarquin and Lucretia is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Jacopo Tintoretto. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Completed in 1590 by Jacopo Tintoretto, the painting portrays the moment of Sextus Tarquinius confronting Lucretia in a private chamber.
Completed in 1590 by Jacopo Tintoretto, the painting portrays the moment of Sextus Tarquinius confronting Lucretia in a private chamber. The composition emphasizes her partial nudity and the presence of a dagger. These elements reference the legendary rape of Lucretia, a story that symbolizes the violation of virtue and tragic destiny. By foregrounding the intimate setting and the weapon, the work underscores themes of power, honor, and violence.
Technique & Style
Tarquin and Lucretia is executed in oil paint on canvas, a medium and support typical of Venetian practice in the late sixteenth century. The work is classified as a history painting and exhibits the Mannerist characteristics associated with the Venetian school. No specific details about the painting's handling or current condition are provided in the sources.
History & Provenance
Jacopo Tintoretto created the oil-on-canvas painting Tarquin and Lucretia in 1590. The work measures 157 by 146 centimeters and depicts the rape of Lucretia by Sextus Tarquinius within a bedroom setting. The specific commission and early ownership chain are not recorded in the available sources.
The painting is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, a significant example of Tintoretto's history painting within the Venetian Mannerist tradition.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Tarquin and Lucretia, captures a pivotal moment from classical history. The composition centers on two figures, depicting a dramatic confrontation that has been a recurring subject in art. Rendered in oil, the work emphasizes the intense narrative through its visual presentation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacopo Robusti (late September or early October 1518 – 31 May 1594), best known as Tintoretto ( TIN-tə-RET-oh; Italian:; Venetian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Venetian school.
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