Lucretia

Lucretia emerges from the shadows and grasps a dagger, aiming it at her chest; the beauty of her translucent skin, the pearls in her hair and the luxurious fabrics all contrast with the horror of what is about to happen. According to the History of Rome of the Roman historian Titus Livius, the virtuous Lucretia, raped by Sextus Tarquinius, called on her father and husband for vengeance and then stabbed herself, her death sparking the rebellion that brought down Rome’s monarchy and made her a martyr for freedom. Artemisia Gentileschi, who had herself experienced sexual violence as a young woman, often depicted donne forti — strong women — and painted Lucretia at least four times, always investing the subject with great empathy. The painting is held in the J. Paul Getty Museum.