Tarquinius bedreigt Lucretia 1672 - 1747

Curator: Look at this harrowing scene. The Rijksmuseum holds this dramatic pencil drawing entitled “Tarquinius bedreigt Lucretia,” or "Tarquin Threatening Lucretia" by Willem van Mieris, likely created sometime between 1672 and 1747. What are your immediate thoughts? Editor: My initial reaction is tension; you can feel it oozing off the paper, can't you? The high contrast and dramatic staging certainly amplify the raw emotion. Curator: Absolutely. Van Mieris, working firmly within the academic style, clearly wanted to emphasize that contrast, not just visually, but thematically. He’s presenting us with a depiction of the legendary encounter between Tarquin, an Etruscan prince, and the virtuous Lucretia, a symbol of Roman morality. It’s an old story that ends terribly. Editor: True. Semiotically, it's quite potent. His assertive grip, the exposed knife—these motifs serve as strong visual cues indicating male dominance and impending violence. There's a disturbing theatricality in how her figure is positioned as well. Curator: A theatre of cruelty! It is said that his desire to possess her, and his subsequent act, led to the downfall of the Roman monarchy. A brutal catalyst! You almost forget you are looking at something sketched in pencil. Editor: Precisely! Despite the apparent simplicity of the medium—pencil on paper—Van Mieris manages to evoke such depth, from the intricate details of the architectural setting to the psychological complexity of the figures’ expressions. Curator: Van Mieris clearly has skill to burn! He uses delicate shading and precise linework. Every fold in Lucretia’s drapery, every muscle in Tarquin’s arm is rendered with exquisite attention. I would say he evokes feelings of both repulsion and… dare I say, a weird sort of sympathy for Lucretia’s plight, at least a modern eye sees it this way. Editor: A visual symphony, a dance between line and shadow—it is difficult to look away. Van Mieris urges viewers to face not only artistic craftsmanship, but also our historical demons head-on. Curator: In all honesty, a scene like this is deeply unsettling to look at. I agree. Seeing such predatory actions laid bare on paper allows the viewer to sit with their own thoughts. Well said. Thank you!