The Suicide of Lucretia

Giovanni Battista Pittoni the younger (Venice 1687 - Venice 1767) . Oil painting on canvas (oval), The Suicide of Lucretia by Giovanni Battista Pittoni (1687-1767), late 1730s. 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. The story depicted is told in the Roman poet, Ovid's Fasti 2:831 and by Livy 1:58. In moulded gilt frame. Pair to NT/BAS/P/11. Basildon Park, Berkshire (Accredited Museum)