The Death of Lucretia (oil on board)

Lucretia is a legendary figure in the history of the Roman Republic; it is said that her rape by the king's son and subsequent suicide were the immediate cause of the revolution that overthrew the monarchy and established the Roman Republic, Lucretia lies against bank of cushions, the drapery falling away, right arm comforting woman bent over in grief, hands clasped to head. A second anxious woman to left looks on, and on right, Sextus, son of Tarquin (her rapist) stands in red cloak and helmet (although perhaps more likely Brutus, who discovered her, Tarquins' nephew, who later led a rebellion against his unclenad family.