Tarquin attacking Lucretia, a servant at left witnessing the scene 1520 - 1582

This 16th-century engraving by Italian artist Giorgio Ghisi depicts the Roman legend of Lucretia. It portrays the moment when Tarquin, the son of the Roman king, attacks the virtuous Lucretia. The scene is filled with dramatic tension, as the viewer sees the struggle between the two figures, while a servant witnesses the crime from behind the curtains. Ghisi's detailed style and mastery of light and shadow create a powerful and unsettling image of this tragic event. The print's composition and expressive lines showcase the artist's keen eye for realism and the human form, making this work a fine example of Renaissance art.