Rape of Lucretia after 1700

Giovan Gioseffo dal Sole created this pen and brown ink drawing, titled "Rape of Lucretia," at an unknown date. The scene conveys a strong sense of drama and tension through its dynamic composition and the artist’s use of line. The composition is structured around the diagonal formed by Lucretia’s body, stretching from the lower right to the upper left, immediately drawing the viewer's eye. The stark lines of the figures contrast sharply with the softer shading, creating a visual tension that mirrors the scene's violence. The bed hangings in the background add to the claustrophobic atmosphere. Dal Sole’s choice of medium enhances the drawing’s raw emotional impact. The starkness of the ink on paper emphasizes the stark moral issues at play. The sketch-like quality suggests a moment of brutal immediacy, capturing the violation and loss of innocence at the heart of the Lucretia story. It is in this very act of representation that the drawing invites us to reflect on the intersection of power, sexuality, and morality.