The Rape of Lucrece (Shakespeare)

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching and engraving, titledThe Rape of Lucrece (after Shakespeare), captures a pivotal moment from William Shakespeare's narrative poem of 1594. The poem recounts the tragic story of Lucretia, a virtuous Roman noblewoman whose assault by the tyrannical Sextus Tarquinius sparks the overthrow of Rome's monarchy. Produced between 1825 and 1840 by Henry Corbould and engraver Charles Rolls, print reflects the 19th-century British fascination with Shakespearean drama, blending classical antiquity with Romantic sensibilities. Corbould, known for his historical scenes, likely designed the composition, while Rolls translated it into intricate lines using etching and engraving techniques. These methods allowed for fine detail in a compact format—measuring just 3 7/16 × 2 9/16 inches—ideal for book illustrations or collector's albums. The work's focus on a female figure underscores themes of virtue, violation, and retribution that resonated in Victorian culture. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Harriet McDonald, 1941), this print exemplifies how Shakespeare's enduring words inspired visual art, bridging literature and graphic mastery for generations of admirers.

About the Artist

William Shakespeare|Charles Rolls|Henry Corbould (British|British|British|British) · 1840 |1831 |1564 |1564 –1877 |1912 |1616 |1616

British, active 1840–77|British, London 1831–1912 London|British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon|British, Stratford-upon-Avon 1564–1616 Stratford-upon-Avon