Suicide of Lucretia
- Artist: Raphael
- Date: (circa) 1530 - 1550
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the “Suicide of Lucretia” by Raphael. The painting, created around 1530‑1550, is an oil on panel that showcases Raphael’s mature, dramatic use of color and light. The composition centers on Lucretia herself, depicted in a moment of profound emotional intensity, her posture and facial expression conveying the tragic gravity of her choice. The background is subdued, allowing the figure to dominate the canvas. Raphael’s careful brushwork brings out the delicate flesh tones and the sheen of her garments, while a subtle play of shadow emphasizes the tension in the scene. Though the piece is technically simple in its palette, the composition’s balance and the emotional weight of the narrative make it a powerful example of late Renaissance art. The work reflects Raphael’s continued interest in historical and mythological subjects, capturing a pivotal moment with both realism and lyrical grace.
See it in person
Suicide of Lucretia hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
