Gortzius Geldorp (Leuven 1553 - Cologne 1618) Lucretia Oil on panel, 59.6 x 48.9 cm Provenance: Collection Mrs. S.M.C. Jungeling, The Hague N.B. I: Various versions of this composition are known, all with minor variations. A comparable painting is in the collection of the Hermitage in Saint-Petersburg (inv.no. 1842). N.B. II: According to Roman tradition Lucretia was the daughter of Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus and the wife of Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. She was known for her beauty and even more so for her modesty. During the siege of Ardea, the sons of king Lucius Tarquinius Superbus and their companions, including Tarquinius Collatinus, went to Rome to check if their women had behaved decently during their abscence. The men found the king's daughters-in-law at a lavish banquet, while Lucretia was found at her home amidst her handmaidens spinning whool. Sextus Tarquinius Superbus, one of the king's sons, was struck by a strong but illicit desire at the sight of Lucretia's beauty and modesty. While he was staying as a guest at the house of Tarquinius Collatinus, he brutally violated Lucretia, committing two crimes in one act (one against a Roman lady, as well as one against the laws of hospitality). After Sextus Tarquinius had left, Lucretia sent for her father, Publius Valerius Publicola, and her husband. After informing them both of the infamy and instructing them to revenge her, she commited suicide with a knife which she had hidden under her garments. As a result of the rape of Lucretia Rome proceeded from a monarchy to a republic. In the Northern-European art of the 16th up to the 17th century she often figures as a symbol of chastity for robbing herself of her life because of her violation. N.B. III: We are grateful to Mr. F.G. Meijer for his assistance in cataloguing this work.
Gortzius Geldorp (Leuven 1553 - Cologne 1618) Lucretia Oil on panel, 59.6 x 48.9 cm Provenance: Collection Mrs. S.M.C. Jungeling, The Hague N.B. I: Various versions of this composition are known, all with minor variations. A comparable painting is in the collection of the Hermitage in Saint-Petersburg (inv.no. 1842). N.B. II: According to Roman tradition Lucretia was the daughter of Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus and the wife of Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. She was known for her beauty and even more so for her modesty. During the siege of Ardea, the sons of king Lucius Tarquinius Superbus and their companions, including Tarquinius Collatinus, went to Rome to check if their women had behaved decently during their abscence. The men found the king's daughters-in-law at a lavish banquet, while Lucretia was found at her home amidst her handmaidens spinning whool. Sextus Tarquinius Superbus, one of the king's sons, was struck by a strong but illicit desire at the sight of Lucretia's beauty and modesty. While he was staying as a guest at the house of Tarquinius Collatinus, he brutally violated Lucretia, committing two crimes in one act (one against a Roman lady, as well as one against the laws of hospitality). After Sextus Tarquinius had left, Lucretia sent for her father, Publius Valerius Publicola, and her husband. After informing them both of the infamy and instructing them to revenge her, she commited suicide with a knife which she had hidden under her garments. As a result of the rape of Lucretia Rome proceeded from a monarchy to a republic. In the Northern-European art of the 16th up to the 17th century she often figures as a symbol of chastity for robbing herself of her life because of her violation. N.B. III: We are grateful to Mr. F.G. Meijer for his assistance in cataloguing this work.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
