Death of Lucretia
1546/47
Medium
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Sheet: 7.9 × 11.7 cm (3 1/8 × 4 5/8 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
77503
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Georg Pencz's *Death of Lucretia* (1546/47) captures a pivotal moment from ancient Roman legend, where the virtuous Lucretia, after enduring assault by the tyrant Tarquin, takes her own life to preserve her honor. This dramatic scene fueled Renaissance interest in classical antiquity, symbolizing chastity, republican, and resistance to tyranny—resonating in 16th-century Europe amid political upheavals. As a master engraver from Nuremberg, part of the "Little Masters group, Pencz excelled in intricate small-scale prints influenced by Albrecht Dürer and Italian Renaissance artists like Marcantonio Raimondi. This engraving on ivory laid paper, measuring just 7.9 × 11.7 cm, showcases his precise line work and tonal modeling, achieved through fine burin incisions that allowed for rich contrasts and multiple impressions. Such portable prints democratized art, making high drama accessible beyond paintings. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this work highlights engraving's golden age, blending Northern precision with classical themes to educate and inspire viewers on moral fortitude.
About the Artist
Georg Pencz · 1490–1550
Comment on works: Religious; History; Portraits