The artwork titled “Lucretia” was crafted by the renowned artist Rembrandt in the year 1666. This oil on canvas work is a testament to the Baroque period, notable for its use of Tenebrism—a dramatic style of lighting with pronounced contrasts of light and dark. The piece measures 92.3 cm by 105.1 cm and falls within the genre of portraiture. It presently resides in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, located in Minneapolis, MN, United States.
“Lucretia” depicts a woman captured in a moment of profound emotional distress. Her gaze appears downcast and somber, potentially signifying a grave contemplation or the aftermath of a tragic event. The artist achieves a palpable sense of depth and realism through meticulously rendered details, such as the delicate textures of the woman’s attire and the convincing interplay of light and shadow. The rich, warm tones of her garment contrast markedly with the paleness of her skin and the white of her chemise, creating a dramatic visual impact. Notably, the figure clasps a small object in her right hand that is tethered to a cord, while her left hand, placed over her heart, draws attention to a visible stain that may suggest blood, in keeping with the tragic story of Lucretia from Roman history. The somber colour palette and the focused illumination on the figure hallmark the Tenebrist elements, emphasizing the emotional gravity of the scene.
