This artwork entitled “Tarquin and Lucretia” is an etching created around 1750 by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo after a painting by his father, Giambattista Tiepolo. The subject of the work is based on a sixth-century BCE Roman legend about the attack of Lucretia by Sextus Tarquinius, which resulted in the establishment of a republic in Rome.
Giambattista Tiepolo was an Italian Rococo-style artist known for his decorative frescoes with pastel shades and sumptuous costumes. This artwork is considered to have been entirely finished by Giambattista himself and exemplifies his signature style.
The artwork’s unsettling combination of violence and beauty creates a powerful image that has remained moving throughout history. This piece depicts Lucretia being assaulted by Tarquin while she lies in her bed. Her anguished expression contrasts with Tarquin’s calm demeanor and adds to the tension in the scene.
In conclusion, Tiepolo’s “Tarquin and Lucretia” etching presents a powerful depiction of this historical event through its representations of violence, pathos, and beauty. Its boldness remains intriguing as it captures attention through its unusual combination of tragedy and elegance – making it one worth experiencing live or online.
