Lucretia 1580

Paolo Veronese painted Lucretia in oil on canvas sometime in the 16th century. The subject is Lucretia, a noblewoman from ancient Rome who committed suicide after being raped by the king's son. This painting raises interesting questions about the public role of art. How are we meant to view the woman in the picture? What are the politics of representing her? The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. It was made in Venice at a time when wealthy families began to collect art and display it in their homes. This painting is a product of that culture and these new social conditions. Venetian art and architecture was also heavily influenced by the Catholic Church. So is this an erotic painting, a moralising picture, or something else? As art historians, we can look at the social conditions that shaped this picture’s production. We can use documents, letters, and institutional records to understand it better. The meaning of art depends on its social and institutional context.