Dood van Lucretia c. 1701

Here we see Jacob Toorenvliet's rendition of 'The Death of Lucretia,' rendered in sanguine ink, presenting a powerful scene steeped in historical and moral significance. Lucretia, a noblewoman of ancient Rome, is shown at the moment of her suicide, an act of defiance against the dishonor brought upon her by Sextus Tarquinius. Note her gesture: one hand clutches her chest, while the other is flung outwards, an appeal to the heavens, an expression of ultimate despair. We see echoes of this emotive expression throughout art history. Consider the figures in scenes of the crucifixion; their arms outstretched in agony. This mirroring of despair can be traced back to antiquity. In the depths of our collective memory, such gestures resonate, speaking to the eternal human struggle against injustice and the profound depths of human emotion. Her act of suicide becomes not just a personal tragedy, but a symbol of resistance against tyranny, continually reborn in art across the ages.