Rond blad met Lucretia 1534

Monogrammist CG created this roundel with Lucretia, a figure whose story is steeped in the complex dynamics of gender and power of her time. Lucretia, a noblewoman, was a symbol of virtue whose tragic suicide ignited a rebellion against tyranny. This piece reflects the artist’s perception of women in 1574. Here, Lucretia is adorned in what seems to be a wig, which is a performance of an identity, or gender. There is no shame depicted on her face as she prepares to die; she knows she is a symbol of Roman virtue. Lucretia's story has been retold countless times, each reflecting the values and concerns of its own era. Her story is a complex narrative that blurs the lines between victimhood and agency.