Lucretia
- Original dimensions
- 92.3 x 110.2 cm
- Movement
- Dutch Golden Age
- Museum
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Year
- 1666
Scene depicted
The painting Lucretia immerses the viewer in the troubling intimacy of a woman facing a personal tragedy. The painting depicts Lucretia, an emblematic figure of virtue, in a moment of tragic introspection, a moment where she makes the heart-wrenching choice to confront her fate. The subtle details of the painting reflect inner struggles, human emotions commented on with striking delicacy, offering a poignant look at the human soul.
Historical context
Created in 1666 in the magnificent Netherlands, the painting Lucretia is part of the dazzling artistic movement of the Dutch Golden Age. This iconic painting is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art , where it continues to move visitors. The historical context of the time reveals a growing fascination with psychological and emotional themes, reflecting society and its turmoil.
Place in the artist's career
Ranked among his most significant paintings , Lucretia testifies to a period of maturity in the career of Rembrandt . Like the painting The Night Watch and the painting The Return of the Prodigal Son , this work shines a spotlight on the psychological depth and luminous intensity that characterize the compositions of this exceptional artist.
Anecdote
“The complexity of the human soul deserves to be captured on canvas.” This quote, borrowed from Rembrandt , echoes the creative act that presided over the birth of this masterpiece . One imagines Madame Lande, a spring morning, soft light filtering through the windows of his studio, left with only the shadow of the old stones surrounding his creative space as a companion.
Major exhibitions
Late Rembrandt