# Lucretia

**Raphael** (Italian, 1483–1520)  
1508–10  
Pen and brown ink over black chalk, partially incised with a stylus (recto); rubbed with black chalk for transfer (verso)  
15-5/8 x 11-1/2 in. (39.7 x 29.2 cm)

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1997.153. [The museum's record](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/337075).

## About this work

Lucretia, the Roman noblewoman who took her own life after being raped by the king’s son, an act that led to the founding of the Roman Republic, raises a dagger to her breast. Raphael drew her in pen and ink over black chalk around 1508–10, soon after arriving in Rome, basing the figure on ancient sculpture. The outlines are incised with a stylus and the back of the sheet is rubbed with chalk, showing that the design was transferred, most likely for the engraver Marcantonio Raimondi, whose print after it helped spread Raphael’s inventions across Europe.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

Raphael drew this in 1508–10, aged about 25. It is now at The Met in New York.

### How it was made

- **Chalk.** Natural black, red and white chalks. Used together on toned paper they could give the warmth of flesh with very little effort, and they were favourites for studies from life.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.

### [Raphael](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/raphael)

Italian, 1483–1520; born in Urbino; died in Rome

Raphael trained in Urbino and in Perugino’s orbit, absorbed the lessons of Leonardo and Michelangelo in Florence from 1504, and in 1508 was called to Rome by Pope Julius II. There he painted the frescoes of the papal apartments, including The School of Athens, and under Leo X directed the decoration of the Vatican Loggia, designed tapestries for the Sistine Chapel and took charge of building St Peter’s. His balanced compositions became the model of classical art for centuries. He died at thirty-seven.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Drawings
- The artist was about 25
- Real size: about 16 × 11 in (40 × 29 cm). The 12 × 16 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 16th century
- Subjects: Women
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1012.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1012/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/lucretia-met-337075).