Early 17th Oil On Slate Venetian School “tarquin And Lucretia”

Venetian School, first half of the 17th century, “Tarquin and Lucretia”, Oil on Slate, after the original by Titian.
Painting on marble or slate is quite rare, but highly valuable in its effects.

Known since ancient times, it was rediscovered in the early 16th century, traditionally by Sebastiano del Piombo. In the 16th century, Venice led a revival of artistic techniques and materials, encouraged by the revival of the classical world, the arrival of materials from the East, and the publication of Greco-Roman texts describing the art of the past. The stability of stone inspired artists, who desired to create timeless works, to use it as a support for painting. It also allowed them to demonstrate their mastery—the process was considered secret—and to produce evocative effects by controlling the reflection of light on its surface.
Titian himself experimented with painting on slate, competing with Sebastiano del Piombo.

Our painting, on a thick slab of slate also known as a “pietra di paragone,” is based on the composition “Tarquin and Lucretia,” which Titian executed in 1571 for Philip II of Spain. The story of Lucretia’s rape by Sextus Tarquinius (Tarquin), and her subsequent suicide, was a popular subject in Renaissance art: Sextus Tarquinius, son of King Tarquin the Proud, raped the noble and chaste matron Lucretia, wife of Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. In the slander she suffered, Lucretia committed suicide after confessing the incident, prompting her husband, father, and Lucius Junius Brutus to lead a revolt that overthrew the monarchy and founded the Roman Republic in 509 BC.

Against the glossy black stone background, Lucretia’s white flesh and the bright colors of Tarquin’s clothing stand out: the refined painting provides an exceptional anatomical rendering of Lucretia’s body, well-proportioned in the violent gestures of the moment. Her beautiful blond hair is illuminated by the jewels she wears, pearls symbolizing purity and chastity. Tarquin, on the other hand, is dressed in scarlet, his face distorted by desire as he brandishes a long knife blade over the woman.

On the back is an old label, likely a collector’s item, now illegible.
The painting is in excellent condition and shows no cracks or restorations.

Measurements:
slate 23.5 x 19.5 cm
frame 32.7 x 29 cm