Artwork
Lucretia
Lucretia is a paint painting by the Mannerist artist Vincent Sellaer. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Lucretia is a 16th-century painting by Flemish artist Vincent Sellaer, created around 1540 in the mannerist style, blending Italian and northern European artistic traditions.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Lucretia, a figure from Roman legend, standing resolute with a dagger, conveying a mix of sadness and determination. A concerned helmeted figure observes from behind, while a parrot, fixated on a coin, adds a layer of symbolic intrigue, potentially alluding to the themes of sacrifice, wealth, and mortality associated with Lucretia's story.
Technique & Style
Sellaer employed chiaroscuro to create depth, combining intricate details with vivid colors, characteristic of the mannerist approach with a monumental form.
History & Provenance
Lucretia is part of the history genre and is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Vincent Sellaer (1490–1564), was a Flemish Renaissance painter known for his mythological and religious subjects. His works stand out through their monumentality of form and their mixing of Italian and northern styles.
