The Story of Lucretia (Botticelli)

The Tragedy (Death, Suicide) of Lucretia
The Botticelli Lucretia
Various scenes relating to the rape of Lucretia
Central scene
ArtistSandro Botticelli
Year1496–1504
MediumTempera and oil on wood
Dimensions83.8 cm × 176.8 cm (33.0 in × 69.6 in)
LocationIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

The Tragedy of Lucretia is a tempera and oil painting on a wood cassone or spalliera panel by the Italian Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli, painted between 1496 and 1504. Known less formally as the Botticelli Lucretia, it is housed in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of Boston, Massachusetts, having been owned by Isabella Stewart Gardner in her lifetime.

Right-hand scene. While her husband is away, the virtuous Lucretia is raped by Sextus Tarquinius, the king's son. After summoning her husband and others she reveals all and stabs herself. Here she has just done so and is dead.