Lucretia (Raphael)
Drawing by Raphael
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Lucretia is a 1500s drawing by the Italian High Renaissance artist Raphael, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[1]
| Lucretia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Year | 1500s (Julian) |
| Location | |
| Accession | 1997.153  |
Early history and creation
William Russell (died 1884) was the drawing's first recorded owner.[2] Russell was the first to attribute the work to Raphael.[2] Sir James Knowles purchased the drawing in 1908.[2]
Description and interpretation
The drawing is executed with pen and brown ink over black chalk on paper. It depicts Lucretia in the moment before she commits suicide by putting a dagger into her chest.[3]
In its time printers would display images of Lucretia with Dido.[4] Copies of the image have a Greek language inscription with it.[4] According to art historian Patricia Emison, the image typifies a contemporary style depicting females standing alone.[4]
Later history and influence
The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired the sketch in 1997.[3]