Tarquinius bedreigt Lucretia 1672 - 1747

Willem van Mieris's "Tarquinius bedreigt Lucretia" depicts a pivotal moment in Roman history. The artwork, a black and white etching, shows the violent confrontation between Sextus Tarquinius, the son of the Etruscan king, and Lucretia, a noble Roman woman. Tarquinius threatens Lucretia with a dagger, forcing her to submit to his advances, a scene which ultimately led to the overthrow of the Etruscan monarchy. The dramatic composition and powerful emotions conveyed in this artwork make it a poignant reminder of the historical event and a testament to van Mieris's skill as an artist.