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The Discovery of Lucretia's Suicide

The Discovery of Lucretia's Suicide

Attributed to: Jan van Mieris (in circa 1680-1690)

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This pen-and-ink drawing attributed to Jan van Mieris shows the discovery of the suicide of the virtuous Lucretia. After being raped by the Roman king's son Sextus Tarquinius Superbus, she stabbed herself with a knife.

Artists mainly depicted the rape or her suicide. Van Mieris, however, depicted the moment when Brutus, the nephew of Lucretia's husband, swears revenge after her suicide. In the drawing, this scene takes place in Lucretia's lavishly decorated room. On the left, we see Brutus with the bloody knife in his hand. On the right, we see Lucretia who has just died in her father's arms. They are surrounded by other figures, possibly including her husband and her maid.

Paintings of Lucretia's suicide are quite rare by northern Dutch artists. No painting has been found that matches this drawing by Van Mieris.

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Specifications

Title The Discovery of Lucretia's Suicide
Material and technique Pen and brown ink, grey wash
Object type
Drawing > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Location This object is in storage
Dimensions Width 186 mm
Height 140 mm
Artists Attributed to: Jan van Mieris
: Willem van Mieris
: Jan Verkolje (I)
Accession number MB 1988/T 13 recto (PK)
Credits Purchased 1988
Department Drawings & Prints
Acquisition date 1988
Creation date in circa 1680-1690
Material
Object
Technique
Grey wash > Washing > Wash > Drawing technique > Technique > Material and technique

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All about the artist

Jan van Mieris

Leiden 1660 - Rome 1690

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