Rembrandt explains the tale of Lucretia, who was the wife of a Roman nobleman. Rembrandt’s retelling of t Lucretia’s story showcases deep emotional feeling. Lucretia was raped by the son of a tyrannical roman king, named Tarquinius. Lucretia was a woman who valued Virtue and Honor (Harris.) In this period of time, a women virtue was idealized and at most times valued more than the woman’s life itself. Fearing that she would be regarded in a dishonorable light, she thought to take her own life out of shame and to hopefully prove herself a victim. Tarquin threatened to kill her, and a male slave under the fake pretense that her and the male slave committed adultery if she told about what he had done to her (Harris.) Out of fear, shame, and honor She killed herself in front of her husband and father after admitting to them what had occurred between her and the king’s son. Rembrandt symbolizes this within her haunting gaze, the blood tainting her gown, and the dagger within her hand. In reaction to Lucretia’s death her husband, father, and relative carried her body and displayed it to the public creating outrage (Harris.) They were stunned by the prince’s savage deeds that resulted in her death. They managed to convince the the gathering crowds to revoke the power of the king, ordering the exile of the king and his family. Following this, two consuls were appointed, Brutus and Collatinus. Thus the rape of Lucretia initiated the founding of the first t Roman Republic. Her sacrifice symbolized her purity and patriotism (Harris.) Portrait of Mlle. Lange as Danae 1799, Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussey-Trioson, Oil on Canvas Anne-Louis tells the story of Miss Lange, who was highly popular actress known for her looks and the wealthy gentlemen that pursued her. …show more content…
Miss Lange and her husband commissioned Girodet for a self-portrait Portraying her as Venus (Rebirth of Reason). When he finished painting the portrait of her Miss Lange found it to be highly unflattering and only offered him half the money of what he had asked for concerning the commission price. Girodet removed the first painting he removed the painting from its frame, destroyed it and sent it to her (Rebirth of Reason). Girodet sought more revenge and decided to paint a second portrait of her. Girodet sought to damage the reputation of Miss Lange. He took it upon himself to paint a “Satirical version” (Rebirth of reason) of Miss Lange’s self-portrait. He Portrayed Miss Lange as one of Zeus lovers, Danae, filled with symbols such as lust, greed, and vanity. The story of Danae tells of one of Zeus’s mortal lovers. Zeus then decides to turn himself into a shower of gold falling upon her. Girodet portrays Miss Lange greedily catching the gold coins in her lap instead of the mirror in front of her face, which had a crack running through it representing the way “Girodet saw her, as a vain, adulterous, and avaricious woman” (Rebirth of Reason.) Her husband is pictured to represent the turkey with the tail feather of a peacock sporting a wedding ring representing of the fact that she married him for his perceived wealth. He put this piece of work on display for public view at the Salon De Paris of 1799. The Death of Germanicus 1627, Nicolas Poussin, Oil on Canvas This painting describes the story of young roman general