BOTTICELLI, Sandro
(b. 1445, Firenze, d. 1510, Firenze)

The Story of Lucretia (detail)

1496-1504
Tempera and oil on panel
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

The soldier's revolt takes the centre stage, and the preceding episodes are grouped around it. In the centre of the picture Lucretia's corpse is on public display as if she was a heroine. Above the dead woman, Brutus is calling on the army to take revenge. The soldiers are rushing up in front of the triumphal arch and the statue of David which is placed high on a column.