Lucretia

Lucretia, a drawing created sometime between 1600 and 1699 after the composition of Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael Italian (1483-1520), depicts the dramatic moment of the Roman heroine’s self-sacrifice. This seventeenth-century Italian work showcases a precise and controlled technique, executed in pen and black ink, complemented by brush and gray wash applied delicately to brown prepared laid paper. The deliberate use of prepared paper and wash suggests the artist intended to create strong tonal contrasts, lending a sense of weight and dramatic volume to the figure of Lucretia.

This drawing is historically significant not as an original work by the Renaissance master, but as evidence of the enduring influence of Raphael’s compositions decades after his death. The widespread practice in Italy of copying and adapting the designs of foundational artists like Raphael served multiple purposes, including pedagogical instruction for younger artists and the popular dissemination of revered classical subjects. The work therefore provides valuable insight into the continuous transmission of artistic ideas and compositional prototypes during the Baroque era.

The subject of Lucretia was profoundly popular, symbolizing civic virtue, sacrifice, and the fall of the Roman monarchy. Though this interpretation is based on a design by Raphael, the execution reflects the visual sensibilities of the 1600s. This compelling example of Italian draftsmanship is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars and the public an important historical record. Works based on master drawings often enter the public domain over time, allowing high-quality prints to circulate, ensuring that Raphael’s profound compositional influence continues to be studied by artists worldwide.