“The Suicide of Lucretia” is an oil on canvas painting by Guido Reni, created during the period 1625 – 1640. This Baroque period artwork measures 113 x 91 cm and is categorized as a history painting, a genre that depicts a moment derived from historical, mythological, or biblical narratives.
The artwork captures a tragic and climactic moment in the story of Lucretia. Lucretia, a noblewoman of Ancient Rome who was renowned for her beauty and virtue, is seen at her most vulnerable moment following an act of violation by Sextus Tarquinius, son of the Etruscan king of Rome. The figure of Lucretia is depicted in a state of undress, with her garments visibly disheveled. Her eyes are turned upward, perhaps in search of divine witness or relief from her agony, as she experiences the profound emotional and moral turmoil that leads to her demise. Lucretia clenches a dagger, with which she has wounded herself, as suggested by the droplets of blood on her skin and garment, symbolizing her sacrifice and the subsequent moral outrage that would catalyze the overthrow of the Tarquin monarchy and the establishment of the Roman Republic. Reni’s skillful use of light and shadow, characteristic of the Baroque style, intensifies the drama and imbues the scene with psychological depth. The artwork conveys a powerful narrative through its emotive portrayal of Lucretia’s final act of defiance against ignominy.
