Tarquin and Lucretia

The story of the rape of Lucretia was one of the best-known episodes in the early history of Rome. It told how Sextus Tarquinius, brutal son of the tyrannical king, forced the virtuous wife Lucretia to accede to his lust by threatening that he would kill both her and her servant-boy if she refused, and afterwards claim that he had discovered them together in the act of adultery. To prevent this dishonour to her husband and family, Lucretia permitted herself to be raped, and was thereby able to tell her story and demand vengeance before she committed suicide.

Giordano's composition recalls a celebrated precedent, painted by Titian and known in several versions. Luca Giordano spent significant time in Venice perfecting his training, between 1650 and 1654, and he would certainly have been aware of Titian's painting.