The Death of Lucretia 1783 - 1784

Curator: Conte Carlo Lasinio’s “The Death of Lucretia,” housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a pivotal scene from Roman history. Editor: Gosh, it’s intense, isn't it? That stark contrast between the cool blues and the warm flesh tones... it just screams tragedy. Curator: The figure of Lucretia herself, surrounded by mourners and avengers, carries immense weight. Her suicide became a symbol of resistance against tyranny. Editor: Absolutely, you can see it in their faces. It's more than grief, it's a call to arms, written in their body language. The whole image is like a stage set for revolution. Curator: Indeed. Lasinio captures the moment Lucretia transforms from victim to martyr, her sacrifice becoming the catalyst for the Roman Republic. Editor: It's like the artist has frozen a turning point, capturing an instant when personal tragedy explodes into a historical moment. A real "before and after" moment.