The death of Lucretia. The appearance of Lucretia Borgia

This golden-haired Italian was a contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci, Francois Rabelais and Christopher Columbus. She did not own a brush, did not write novels and did not discover new lands. Nevertheless, it remained in history for centuries.

Doom Tangle

According to historical chronicles, the genus Borgia came from Spain, but in this country it was not crowned with any laurels. But it was celebrated with loud fame in Italy, where this family “gave” the Catholics two extremely ambiguous popes - Calixtus III and Alexander VI. According to one version, the first of them, named in the world of Alfonso, had a scandalous reputation, since for many years he was the civil husband of his sister Joanna Borgia, and supposedly this connection was due to the birth of Rodrigo Borgia - the future Pope Alexander VI.

According to another, Rodrigo was a nephew to Alfonso Calixtu, studied law in Italy and successfully practiced law. Then he suddenly became a military man, but with the accession of Alfonso to the papal throne, he also decided to devote himself to the church.

His innate eloquence, as well as his extraordinary dexterity in the conduct of business, quickly elevated the enterprising neophyte to key posts. Although many of his entourage were convinced that the rapid advancement in the career ladder Rodrigo owed primarily to the patronage of Pope Calixte. When Rodrigo received the cardinal title, and with it new material opportunities, his greed became unlimited: he willingly did profitable business with both the Moors and the Jews, contrary to all the prejudices of the century and then accepted customs. Thus, he made a huge fortune, which helped him to achieve the papal throne. In addition to acquisitiveness, Rodrigo had another passion - women. His love affairs were discussed by the townsfolk with no less excitement than the growth of his well-being.

While still living in Spain, Rodrigo became married to an elderly widow, and then fell in love with the youngest of her daughters (according to some sources - Rosa Vanessa, according to others - Rosa Vanozzi). And when Uncle Alfonso's father called his nephew to his house in the Vatican, he immediately transferred his lady's heart from Valencia. By that time, Rosa Vanessa already had two sons from Rodrigo, Giovanni and Cesare, and in 1480 gave birth to a girl, who was named Lucretia.

There is little reliable information about the childhood of Lucretia. Obviously, she received a good education, was versed in music, painting and poetry, which, in fact, demanded her social status. As for the hobbies of history and alchemy, then it was a fashionable affliction, and almost everyone was doing it. Well, the knowledge of several foreign languages \u200b\u200b(except for the main, Latin) testified not so much about wide erudition as about the objective state of things - in that era Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, fragmented into separate principalities, existed in a mixed language space.

The main "universities" of Lucretia became court intrigues and palace life, saturated with a purely Rabelaisian flavor. And the bright beauty, the hot Spanish blood and the sensuality that had awakened early by the age of 11 made her, even if half-bloomed, but an attractive creature.

Morals in those days were plain and bloody. Apparently, therefore, no one was surprised when the first two gentlemen of Lucretia went one after another to the next world. The names of the killers were also not a secret, since it was almost obvious to everyone that both Giovanni and Cesare had not quite fraternal feelings for their sister. And if the elder, handsome and imposing Giovanni, inherited his mother’s gentle character, Cesare, proud of his resemblance to his father, drew a dagger for any reason. Perhaps that is why Cardinal Rodrigo hastily sent his sons to study away from his sister and from each other - one to the University of Pisa, the other to the University of Padua. But it did not help...

In 1492, Lucretia Borgia gave birth to a girl from Giovanni, who was immediately sent to a peasant family. And the young sinner was immediately married, albeit with the titled, but not wealthy Aragonese nobleman Don Esteban. This "event" was also intended to put an end to the talk about the incestuous relationship of Lucretia with his own father, who even managed to exude irrepressible vital energy and keep a living mind in his sixty. When a more profitable margin option was found, Borgia simply paid off their fake husband who played his part.

Worthy of the Holy

On the occasion of the rebirth in the same 1492 of Cardinal Rodrigo to Pope Alexander VI, the family first strengthened the position of their illegitimate children: Giovanni received the Duchy of Gandia, Cesare - Valencia and Romagna, and Lucretia - a new, much more suitable to her position, groom, marriage with whom the Borgia clan provided the necessary political alliance with the mighty clan of the Dukes of Milan. While the wealthy widower Count Giovanni Sforza decided to find a new wife, Lucretia was not yet thirteen. However, then this circumstance was not so important: if she was older - nobody would be interested in her desire anyway. In addition, there were persistent rumors that the father used his daughter’s beauty favorably and, apparently, was not always guided by her consent. The wedding with Giovanni Sforza was played a year later, with a fitting event. But a week later, the radiant husband and the trace caught a cold, and Lucretia, contrary to customs, did not follow him. Whether the newlywed herself dealt with the dearest half or her relatives showed him the proper place is unknown. But Sforza rarely reminded Borgia of his existence, apparently not wanting to deal with a family, for which a train of bad fame stretched even then. Staying in such a marriage, Lucretia led a completely free and carefree life. The father provided his beloved daughter with a huge fortune, gave her his own palace in the expensive quarter of Rome. The house of Lucretia was striking in luxury. There was also a secular salon with a host of poets, artists and musicians - to patronize was considered a good form at all times.

When the father of the family reigned in the Vatican, taking the name of Alexander VI, Lucretia actually settled in the Pope’s chambers, because living in the Vatican palace promised the greatest temptation - the opportunity to rule. Since then, the holy monastery has become the epicenter of sophisticated revelry, a considerable role in which, according to contemporaries, was played by Lucretius. It is easy to imagine how irritated the subjects of the pontiff should have felt when, among other things, his daughter began to run the affairs of the holy father: read papal correspondence, convene cardinals on colleges, decide who to award and who to punish.

The behavior of Lucretia, as well as the Pope who had condoned her, could not help but shock: what was it like, say, to the ambassador of a foreign state or provincial bishop, who had received an appointment with the head of the Church, to see instead of the venerable old man a young coquette in calling toilets? - contemporaries ask. I wonder if Lucretius really was such? Why did her father trust her so much that he allowed on his own behalf to solve almost any issues? It is a known fact that in the near future Alexander VI appointed Lucrezia the governor of the cities of Spoletto and Foligno, correcting the immutable rule so far, which stated that only a man with a cardinal title could occupy such a high post. However, according to historical evidence, Lucrezia showed very remarkable abilities on this path. For example, when the feud between the cities of Terni and Spoletto threatened to develop into a bloody confrontation, the young governor as a “goodwill ambassador” found a way to reconcile her opponents. Obviously, Alexander VI sent his daughter to the rebellious cities not by chance - he was confident in the mind and exceptional business and organizational qualities of Lucretia ...

"Holy" family

However, these qualities were inherent in the whole Borgia family. Alexander VI's own plans - to subordinate not only all the lands of Italy, but also neighboring Europe to his power - required gold. And in this matter his imagination was inexhaustible. At first, the pontiff habitually used the experience of his predecessors: he announced a new crusade against Muslims in order to finally conquer the Holy Sepulcher. This made it possible to send monks throughout the Christian world, whose duties it was charged to contribute in every way to donations to the holy cause - it is clear that the collected gold settled in the storerooms of the Borgia family. And when the increasingly uncontrollable needs of both the Pope and his beloved children crossed all borders, he invented his own know-how: noble nobles and wealthy priests were invited to the holidays, for which this feast was supposed to be the last: they were simply killed, and the property of the victims was confiscated.

“Alexander VI with feverish greed robbed the living and the dead,” says a contemporary. “The greatest pleasure for him was the sight of human blood.” In addition, Cesare's masterly dagger was always at hand. However, in fairness, it must be said that Borgia was still given preference to "bloodless methods of murder."

Poison Borgia has long been a byword - for hundreds of years legends have been made about him. Papal chemists made for Alexander VI a whole arsenal of extremely strong poison. Here, the discovery of America came in handy: in many formulations, plants and roots unknown in Europe, specially brought from the New World, were used in Europe. The famous Borgia wine, thanks to its different "dosage", exerted its effect after different times - from a month to several years. The symptoms of poisoning with such a drink resembled symptoms of radiation sickness: the doomed hair and teeth fell out, the skin exfoliated, and death occurred as a result of paralysis of the respiratory center.

In case of special need, the Borgia clan used its favorite poison, a colorless and odorless one with no antidotes, as a quick-acting and surest means. Particularly successful in the sophistication of the treatment of poison Cesare and Lucretius. Cesare wore a deadly ring, on the inside of which two lion claws protruded, so they, if necessary, were smeared with poison. At the time of the handshake, Cesare easily scratched the interlocutor’s hand with the inside of the ring and immediately threw it away. The interlocutor went to another world. It was claimed that in addition to the ring, Cesare had the skill to cut a peach with a poisoned knife so that he himself, having eaten one half, remained unharmed, while the one who had tasted the other part of the fetus died in terrible torment.

As for Lucretia, she, according to rumor, handed over to her bored lovers an ordinary seemingly key to the tight lock of her bedroom - an impatient gentleman in a hurry wounded his fingers on a sharp spike barely visible on the handle and lost his life in a day. How many fans paid this way for their passion for the green-eyed beauty, is not known for sure, however, they said that the score was kept in dozens.

However, the proverb, claiming that whoever digs a hole for another, will fall into it himself, turned out to be more than real for Borgia. The main poisoner himself eventually tasted his brew! Toward the end of his life, Papa decided at once to get even with the Cardinals objectionable to him and invited them to a dinner party. For this, two bottles of special wine were prepared in advance, in storage and handling of which it was necessary to take increased precautions. But the servant, who was not brought up to date, accidentally gave poison to the conspirators themselves.

Alexander, despite his age, habitually drank his cup in one gulp, and Cesare diluted the drink served to him with water. Having tasted their wine, both immediately felt strong pains in the stomach. The pontiff immediately started convulsing, and the doctors were powerless even to somehow alleviate his suffering - the Pope died, not having lived even a day. And Cesare was between life and death for several days, but the drink, diluted with water, lost its mortal strength - after nearly a year having been ill, he scrambled out. But before this doomsday, the Pope had a whole decade of undivided power over the whole country.

The Taming of the Shrew

Count Giovanni Sforza, to whom the union with the young beauty brought sheer disappointment and general ridicule, could only sympathize. Although fate kept him, he still continued to live, while many other chosen ones of Lucretia were much less fortunate. And 5 years later, some higher considerations again prompted Pope Alexander VI to marry his beloved daughter - now for the sake of strengthening ties with the Kingdom of Naples. True, this time the meek option did not work out - Lucretia absolutely unexpectedly stated that she did not intend to return to her father in her former capacity. Then he used force: the Vatican guards arrested the Shrew and imprisoned him in the monastery of St. Sixtus. The finally humiliated Count Sforza was acted even more unsightly, declaring him ill and therefore maritally bankrupt - the reason for the divorce is more than obvious.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Lucretia, who was awaiting the official dissolution of the marital bonds in the monastery walls, met with Chamberlain Pedro Caldes, who was assigned to her for supervision. Lovers for quite some time managed to hide their relationship. Their connection was issued only by a clear pregnancy of Lucretia. When brother Cesare noticed her, he furiously attacked the seducer with a knife right in front of the Pope. But, having spattered blood and the Vatican throne, and the parent sitting on it, only wounded Caldes. Nevertheless, there was still no chance for the guilty chamberlain to survive - a few days later his corpse was caught in the Tiber together with the body of his beloved cameraman Lucretia, who paid for the failure to inform.

Further - more: Cesare’s jealousy for his brother Giovanni was undisguised before, and when at the beginning of 1497 he found out that his father saw his first child as his successor, Giovanni was doomed - his throat was cut and drowned in the same Tiber. Hasty flight of Cesare from the city led his inconsolable father to the idea of \u200b\u200bhis guilt. Alexander “tried to death many notable notables chosen at random”, and according to their testimonies he was convinced of this. “Then,” writes the papal ceremonial master Burchard, “he drained the tears and, shutting himself in his chambers, consoled himself in the arms of Lucretia.” Very little time passed, and mercifully forgiven by Pope Cesare returned home.

As a sign of reconciliation between father and son, a grandiose hunt was arranged, the scale of which, judging by the testimony of contemporaries, was difficult to describe.

Kaleidoscope of marriages

In May 1498, Lucretia gave birth to a boy named Giovanni. At the family council, it was decided that a mother could never look at her son born of the despicable Pedro Caldes. Nevertheless, they decided to legalize the baby. Thus, two papal bulls were born at once: in one, Alexander VI claimed that Giovanni was Cesare's son from a relationship with a certain unmarried woman.

The second bulla - the secret one - recognized that in reality the "Roman infante" was none other than the child of the Pope himself. This document, Alexander ordered to leave supposedly the goal, to legitimize the transfer to the grandson of the duchy, which claimed the indefatigable Cesare. When it became known about the bulls, the Borgia family was once again criticized. And a year after the divorce from the Count of Sforza, Lucretius was married to Alfonso of Aragon, Duke of Bisalu, from a reigning Naples home. In addition to the political prospect of intermarrying with the Aragonese dynasty, marriage to the 17-year-old side son of King Alfonso II made Lucretia the mistress of a fortune that any European princess could envy. However, just as in previous times, the Duke of Bisaglia went to his home in Naples, and his wife ... again remained with the Pope, continuing to lead a familiar lifestyle.

It so happened that the Pope did not succeed in fulfilling the plan - to join the daughter of Naples to the Roman possessions through another marriage. Then he, having put so much effort into this important matter, declared his son-in-law a traitor. Regarding the deplorable fate of the next official spouse of Lucretia, historical chronicles differ. According to one version, Cesare, for some minor reason, found fault with Alfonso at a family reception and immediately stabbed him with a dagger. According to another, the elder Borgia sent hired assassins to him, but the attempt did not succeed: Lucretia carefully looked after her husband for several months. And Alfonso had already completely recovered, but he could not finally recover. All the same Cesare, having scattered the guards, burst into his chambers and strangled the unfortunate prince with his own hands.

After the failure with Naples, the interests of Alexander VI concentrated in northern Italy. In this connection, he once again picked up for the widowed daughter a new "political" option - the Duke of Ferrara Alfonso d "Este.

The next wedding of Lucretia took place in 1501. The action was organized completely in the traditions of the then Vatican, as eyewitnesses testified, "with such splendor and debauchery, which even pagan antiquity did not know." After a short time, Lucretia, together with her husband Alfonso d "Este, left the Eternal City and, as it turned out, forever.

The execution of the “main enemy” of Savonarola coincided with the celebrations on the occasion of the birth of the next offspring of Alexander VI, after which, according to a contemporary, “he indulged in the most unbridled passions, as if the burning of the revealing enemy removed the last bridle from the Pope’s lust and lust for power” ...

Metamorphoses

Leaving Rome, Lucretia led a more than modest lifestyle in the provincial Ferrara. As if in punishment, the last husband turned out to be a terrible jealous man and constantly conducted undisguised surveillance of his wife: in the ducal palace she lived without a break, as in an honorable confinement. And although rumor still ascribes cruel acts to “bloody Lucretia” (for example, the death of six representatives of noble Ferrara families), this is not confirmed by facts.

It is authentically known that she was indifferent to her new husband. That kept the former beauty. “She is of medium height, persistent features, a slightly elongated face, she has a slightly elongated nose, golden hair, a large mouth, sparkling white teeth; the chest is white and smooth, but quite lush. Her whole being is imbued with good nature and gaiety, ”wrote one of the eyewitnesses of Lucretia’s arrival in Ferrara.

It is also known that Lucretia has not lost interest in life - the ducal castle quickly became one of the most brilliant courtyards in Europe. She still generously encouraged artists, especially artists, preferring those who painted paintings on religious topics. And it seems that the terrible fame that hung over the Borgia clan and Lucretia itself scared a few - in her house there were the great Italian Renaissance painter Lorenzo Lotto (by the way, who created a beautiful portrait of the mistress), famous poets of that time Niccolo de Correggio and Pietro Bembo. And one of them - Ludovico Ariosto - in "Frantic Roland" dedicated Lucretia a laudatory octave.

Meanwhile, the Borgia clan was marching toward its sunset. In 1503, Alexander VI fell victim to his cunning. In all, Lucretia's mother, Countess of Castile, survived her husband for a year (in order to obtain this title she had to enter into a fictitious marriage with the commandant of the Vatican Palace). With the death of the omnipotent Pope, the Cesare star also died - the relatives of the robbed princely families rebelled and with their weapons regained their legal possessions, depriving the heir of Alexander VI of all the blood acquired. Cesare’s marriage with Charlotte of Navarre, a relative of the French king, did not save the situation - according to the evidence of that time, Cesare led a rather miserable existence, he was even forced to go to the royal service, where he was killed in the next inter-clan showdown - the dates vary: either in 1507- m year, or in 1513 ... Lucretia, according to contemporaries, received this news indifferently. A few years before her death, she suddenly became very pious, joined the association of the laity under the Order of St. Francis. She finally stopped receiving guests, instead of luxurious outfits she wore a redeeming hair shirt. And almost for days she disappeared into the city church - perhaps she foresaw a quick death.

In the spring of 1519, she hardly got out of bed: her next pregnancy withered her last strength. Doctors decided to call an early birth, but the woman in labor suddenly started arbitrary contractions and a premature girl was born, who died on the same day. Due to the maternal fever, the mother could not be saved either: on June 24, 1519, Lucretia Borgia died at the age of 39.

The last lover of Lucretia, the cardinal, who lived at the court of her husband, Duke Alfonso d'Este, was buried.

The following words were carved on her tombstone: “Here lies Lucretia Borgia, the daughter, wife and daughter-in-law of Pope Alexander VI”.

Afterword

Given all of the above, it may seem strange that the authorities of the small town of Ferrara, located in northern Italy, where Lucrezia Borgia spent the remaining years of her life and where her resting place is located, organize celebrations in her honor every year on February 5, accompanied by colorful performances, a carnival procession and dancing. In addition, last fall, an exhibition opened in the Roman Palazzo Rospoli, in which the funds of 54 museums presented 234 exhibits dedicated to the Borgia dynasty. The organizers of the action recognized that the history of this family is associated with various conspiracies, murders and incest, but with all this, Lucretia herself, in their opinion, should be rehabilitated. And this, in their opinion, can happen on the simple basis that she did not poison anyone and, most likely, did not consist of incestuous relations with her closest relatives. Versions designed to return the beautiful Italian good name, have been put forward a few. According to one of them, Lucretia - in retaliation for the accusation of marital insolvency - was slandered by her ex-husband Giovanni Sforza, who everywhere insisted that the Pope had therefore dissolved the marriage of his beautiful daughter that he intended to keep it for himself. After which, rumors about this went for a walk around the world, overgrown with incredible details. According to another, it was alleged that Lucretia had several unsuccessful pregnancies, and she generally remained childless ...

One way or another, but even now, after five centuries, it is unlikely that anyone will argue that Lucretia was undoubtedly a part and instrument of the political intrigues of Pope Alexander VI and the palace permutations that her brother Cesare was “fond of”, spread the influence of the Borgia family to all of Italy. There are not very many genuine documentary evidence that can shed light on this story. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Ferrara do not give up hope that one day they will nevertheless be able to prove to the world that the beautiful Lucretia was a victim of libel, envy, as well as exorbitant ambition and inhuman pride of their own father and brother.

Magazine "Around the World"

I will talk about another "favorite" of the Renaissance and Baroque artists - Lucretia. Eroticism and death are again tightly intertwined in this story, and the Woman is again a murderer, even though this time she killed herself. Why were such stories so popular in painting: youth, beauty, sex, nudity, violence and death "in one bottle"? I think that it’s not only the edification of the plot and the admiration for beneficence that some hidden strings of human sexuality are clearly affected. Something is vaguely exciting in the dangerously close proximity of the tender female flesh and the tip of a steel blade ... Well, what else can explain such a persistent appeal to the plot?

I placed Guido Reni's picture right under the heading, since we are "personally acquainted" - I saw her in the Sansushi gallery in Potsdam, and I was about 10 years old. Even then, she deeply impressed me, although at the level of "but aunt does it?" " I remember that the guide said that to achieve the effect of this pearly, shimmering whiteness of the skin, the artists applied translucent layers of paint - many, many times, layer by layer; Guido did it masterfully. There in Potsdam I also remembered another of Reni's charming work “The Death of Cleopatra” - it seems that even the model was the same lady. The paintings are filled with tenderness and painful sadness - it is a pity for beautiful young women who are forced to take their own lives. I then revised the booklet with reproductions bought by my parents in the gallery many times, and now it's time to remember them.

Now ingenious Titian. The picture is written approximately in 1571   year.
Great job, very exciting. The master portrayed the unfortunate Lucretia as a powerless victim, on her face horror, longing and confusion. Emotions are conveyed so masterfully that tears come to the sympathetic viewer.

So what is going on here, let's remember.

Lucretia was a Roman patrician, a married woman devoted to her husband, consul Tarquinius Collatin. The son of King Tarquinius the Proud, also Tarquinius (the middle name is Sextus), was often in their house. During one of the drunks away from home, friends Collatin and Sextus and a couple of drinking buddies argued over whose wife is better and more virtuous. They decided to check, having visited each in turn home and seeing what their "halves" were doing.

Another Titian, a slightly different angle.

It turned out that one Lucretia was diligently engaged in homework, the rest were idly fooling around. The envious Tarquinius Sextus held a grudge and decided to take revenge, especially since Lucretia was beautiful, and he had secretly longed for her for a long time. At night, when Lucrezia's husband was away, Tarquinius crept into her bedroom and, threatening with a knife, raped.

Lucretia sent messengers to her father and husband, and when the relatives gathered, she told about everything and stabbed herself with a knife in front of everyone.

One more job Titian

Titian's painting was considered a masterpiece in his time. She inspired many other artists.

Rubens   for example, wrote my version in 1606   year, seeing the work of Titian in Spain three years before, even the composition is similar. Baroque attributes - mythological characters (Harpy on the left and Cupid above Lucretius's head) - symbolize evil and lust.

Titian was not the first to "open the topic." Back in the 15th century, artists turned to this subject - virtue and chastity were always in price.

Lucas Cranach the Elder   - a true singer of Lucretia - more than a dozen such works! I love the Northern Renaissance!

Yet Cranes

...and further

Follower of Cranach

Filippo Lippi (1480), fragment
It captures the moment when Lucretius’s husband’s friend, Lucius Junius Brutus, over the body of a dead womantakes an oath to avenge Tarquinia and criminal power. He led an uprising against the king of the Etruscans and won, and this provided the basis for the creation of the Roman Republic.

Unknown German master, 1500

Jampetrino, approx. 1510
A student of Leonardo da Vinci, he loved to portray such female semi-figures. Successfully copied the style of the teacher.
You look at her and you want to shout: “Don’t do this! Do something!”, But she is adamant: it was important for this woman to save not so much her honor as the honor of her husband!

The beginning 16th century, unknown. Flemish master.
The imperfection of technology gives the dramatic scene a comic character.

Great work by Sandro Botticelli (1504), fragment. The oath over the coffin.

Another piece of the same work. Here the plot is slightly changed - Tarquinius overtakes the victim on the threshold of her house, and not in the bedroom.

Two works of the Master of Holy Blood (approx. 1510)
The woman's face was distorted by the death mask, so she looks scary.

Master of Holy Blood, 1520

The work of an Italian artist with an eloquent nickname Sodom (approx. 1516). Father and husband try to stop the suicide, but late.

One more job Sodomy.

Francesco Francha, 1515
This artist was also a sculptor and engraver, and also made medals and jewelry. He served at the court in Mantua.

Albrecht Dürer, 1518 - on the left, painting and 1508 - graphic on the right.
For a long time they did not remember him, my beloved. His women are all a little specific, they look like his wife, and she was far from the canons of beauty.

Marcantonio Raimondi, 1516
It was a pretty good Italian engraver from Bologna, a student of the mentioned Francesco Francha. He made several engravings from Raphael’s paintings, made engravings in the Dürer style, and even sometimes signed his name. Dürer was so indignant that he sued Marcantonio, but he was only forbidden to use someone else's name.

Hans Baldung, 1515
Very cool and beloved by me German artist, the best student of Dürer. He has many paintings in the style of "Momento Mori", "Three ages of a woman", etc. - where there are often terrible old women, mummies and skeletons. Here, Lucretia is simply full of health and blooming beauty. Eh ...

Jos van Cleve, 1520.
Two almost identical pictures.
Dutch painter, member of the guild of St. Luke. It is believed that he visited Italy and was very impressed with the work of da Vinci, but, as for me, he is very "Northern".

Jos van Kleve, 1515, earlier work.
Well, yes, the monster he did.

These are two works of an unknown Dutch artist, who is conditionally called "Master of Parrots", approx. 1520s
It's quite funny how the masters of the Northern Renaissance try to portray exaltation - emotions are clearly not their thing.

Jan Sanders van Hemessen, 1530
Another guy from the Netherlands. At first I thought it was a rape scene, but it was rather a suicide — the father (or husband) was trying to hold her — the knife was in the woman’s hand.

Jan van Skorel, 1535
Here Lucretius does not kill himself with a knife, but with a sword.

Vinset Celer, 1538.
Here, too, a sword, rather.

Michele Tozini, 1540
This is the Late Renaissance, or mannerism. What does it mean from baroque? Not much. Some art historians believe that there is no mannerism, immediately the baroque was on. It seems to me that mannerism is flat and more sketchy, it has less harmony, more theatricality and clumsyness. Baroque is more convex, and already beautiful to impossibility. Pathos both styles. Although very dependent on the author. Caravaggio, for example, is Baroque, but so realistic! Sometimes horror takes!

Francesco Parmigiano, 1540
But this is mannerism, but not bad, right? Parmigiano had some pretty beautiful works.

Jacopo del Conte, 1550

The artist is best known for his famous portrait of Michelangelo. I like his Lucretius - so gentle and vulnerable.

France Floris, 1560
Dutchman studying with Italians. Typical mannerist.

Bernard de Riceyre, 1561
Antwerp artist, little known.

Luke Combiazo, 1575.
Mannerist, not very famous. One of his successful works. In general, his coloring is gloomy, he clearly abused the umbra.

1575. Unknown German artist.
It seems to me that the palette is too rainbow for such a scene.

Tintoretto, 1578
Some disgrace is happening! And it is written perfectly.

Veronese, 1580
Very beautiful coloring, just a hymn to life, and in contrast - the horror of what is happening.

Frans von Aachen, 1580

Gesualdo de Venosa, 1580

Palma il Giovanni, 1600

Jacques Blanchard, 1630

Very talented artist, unjustly forgotten

Felice Ficerelli, 1640

And this Our Artemisia Gentileschi (1620). And she, as usual, portrayed herself. Corpulent was, apparently, a lady.

Artemisia Gentileschi

Also, like Artemisia Gentileschi

Francesco Rustici, 1620
Not to be confused with the sculptor Giovanni Francesco Rustici, to whom Lina Kostenko dedicated the poem "Snow in Florence". Our Francesco from Siena, a caravaggist, his father, Vincenzo, was also a famous artist, their work was even confused.

Simon Vue, 1629
Look how beautifully decorated the fabric of clothes is a Vue feature. Frenchman, worked a lot in Italy. He was the son of an artist, very talented, he began to paint early, and from the age of 14 he took orders. It was so popular that there was no end to customers, so that over time it became a little hack. At one time it was completely forgotten, in the 19th century it was again remembered.

Simon Vue, 1625

I started with Guido Reni, then went according to chronology, and now again his time has come (1626).

Guido Reni

Guido Reni

Guido Reni

Guido Cagnacci, 1627
A scandalous artist, a drunkard, a lover of dubious fun with dressing up in women's clothing, but undoubtedly talented. He was friends with Guido Reni and Simon Vue. Such expressive in him is Lucretius, suffering.

Guido Cagnacci, 1636
Here is completely different - focused and detached.

Giovanni Andrea Sirani, 1640
Apprentice Guido Reni. A worthy student.

Luca Ferrari de Reggio, 1640

  And this was written by the daughter of Giovanni Andrea Cyrani, Elizabeth, 1660

  Luca Giordano, 17th century. Bad reproduction.

This is the best storyline for Luke Giordano   - such intense drama

Also Luca Giordano   or copy, not very successful

Giordano Luca, 1695

Also Giordano Luca, late - 1696

And this Rembrandt. Very scary - she already pierced herself with a dagger, but is still alive, and frantically grabs the cord with a brush ...

Also Rembrandt

This is also attributed Rembrandaalthough not sure

Gavin Hamilton, 1674

Giuseppe Maria Crespi 1695

Sebastiano Ricci, 1685

Antonio Bellucci 1700

Willem van Meris 1702

Godfried Kneller 1710

Ludovico Mazanti 1737

Janbattista Tiepolo 1750

Jean Honore Fragonard, approx. 1760

Jacques-Antoine Beaufort 1771

Unknown, 1799

  Eduardo Rosales 1871

Henry Louis Marios Pint1884

Edward Burne-Jones, approx. 1880

Here is a story of art in one plot.

And I finally fulfilled my old dream - I bought a set of gypsum geometric shapes and worked out the hatch for half a day. The hand got sick, so I had to temporarily quit this lesson, so I finished the post. Here.

The illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI (in the world of Rodrigo Borgia) and his mistress Vanozza de Cattanei, Duchess of Pesaro, Princess of Salerno, Duchess of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio. Her brothers Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia, and Joffre Borgia.

The Borgia family became the personification of the ruthless unprincipled politics and sexual unprincipledness, supposedly characteristic of the Renaissance papacy. Lucretia has been described as a fatal woman in many works of art, novels and films.

In the city of Melbourne, (National Gallery of Victoria Art School) is a portrait of a young woman, the work of the artist Dosso Dossi. It is proved that this picture is a lifetime portraiture of Lucretia Borgia. However, there are doubts about this statement. Some other paintings, such as a portrait made by Bartolomeo Veneziano, are currently not recognized as the official and valid image of Lucretia.

In most portraits, she is portrayed as a young girl with blond hair flowing down to her chest, with a beautiful complexion, eyes are light brown, full, high breasts, and natural beauty and sophistication. These external data were highly praised in Italy during the Renaissance.

At the moment, there are no reliable sources confirming the participation of Lucretia in the crimes of Alexander VI and Cesare Borgia.

Brother and father manipulated Lucretia, marrying her to representatives of the most influential surname and clans of Renaissance Europe. These marriages were the political ambitions of the Borgia family. Lucretia was married three times: Giovanni Sforza (Duke of Pesaro), Alfonso of Aragonese (Duke of Bisceglie) and Alfonso d'Este (Prince of Ferrara). It is believed that Lucretia's happiest marriage was with Alfonso of Aragon, the illegitimate son of King Naples. It is believed that killed by order of Cesare, after he was no longer useful to the Borgia family.

First marriage: Giovanni Sforza

By the age of 13, Lucretia was betrothed twice, but these two engagements were not brought to the wedding due to the decisions of Alexander VI. After Rodrigo Borgia became Pope Alexander VI, he married Lucretia to Giovanni Sforza, representative of the Sforza dynasty, with the goal of creating a strong political alliance with the most powerful and wealthiest family in Milan. The wedding had an extravagant character inherent in the Renaissance, at present it was regarded only as a shocking event.

Soon, a political union with the Sforza family became unprofitable for the Borgia family. The pope needed new political alliances, more profitable, to strengthen his position. Perhaps this was the reason for eliminating Giovanni. The generally accepted version is that Lucretia warned Giovanni that they want to kill him. Giovanni left Rome in a hurry.

Perhaps the order to kill Giovanni was just a rumor - the purpose of which was to force Giovanni to flee. A new applicant was already selected and the situation required the elimination of Giovanni Sforza.

Alexander VI convinced Uncle Giovanni, Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, of the need for Giovanni's consent to divorce. Giovanni refused a divorce and accused Lucretius of paternal and fraternal incest. According to the arguments of Alexander VI, he was not consolidated (there was no sexual relationship between the spouses), which, according to medieval law, was a sufficient reason for divorce. Otherwise, the Pope had the right to divorce his power and then the Borgia family would demand back the dowry of Lucretia. The Sforza family set the conditions for Giovanni, or he accepts the proposals of Alexander VI, or they deprive him of the protectorate.

Having no choice, Giovanni Sforza signed documents on his powerlessness with witnesses and the marriage officially ceased to have force. The possible occurrence of incest rumors is attributed to the first spouse - Giovanni Sforza. He claimed that the Pope because of the termination of the marriage of his beautiful daughter, that he intended to leave her for himself. After which, rumors about this went for a walk around the world, overgrown with incredible details.

Intimate relationship with Perotto

During the protracted divorce from Giovanni, as well as numerous discussions, gossip and rumors on this subject, Lucretia may have had an intimate relationship with the pope's chamberlain, Pedro Calderon, nicknamed Perotto, who served as a messenger between father and daughter. The result of this relationship was pregnancy. Lucretia, under oath, testified to the papal commission that not a single man had touched her. The funny thing, she said this, being on the demolition. She appeared before the cardinals with such an innocent sheep that no one suspected anything, or, more likely, pretended. “Virgin” - read the conclusion of the commission.

This pregnancy made it possible once again to reproach Lucretia for indecent behavior. A child named Giovanni was born in secret in 1498 before his marriage to Alfonso of Aragon. It is known that this child was later called the Roman Infant.

It is believed that this child was the result of the relationship between Cesare and Lucretia. Perotto, having romantic feelings for Lucretia, called himself the father of this child. So that as few people as possible knew about pregnancy, Lucretia left Rome and throughout the pregnancy remained in the monastery of San Sisto.

In 1501, two papal bulls were issued in relation to the child born, Giovanni Borgia. To hide the fact of lack of virginity, the first bull called the child's father Cesare, before his marriage. The second bull was called the father of Alexander VI himself. Two bulls contradict each other. Lucretia was not mentioned anywhere, and it was never proven that she was the mother of this child.

The second bull was kept secret for a long time. In 1502, Giovanni Borgia became the Duke of Camerino - the territories conquered by Cisano and inherited. However, some time after the death of Alexander VI, Giovanni moved to Lucretia in Ferrara, where he was adopted as half-brother.

Indeed, contemporaries told more than juicy stories about relationships in the papal family: as if Lucrezia presided over papal orgies, covering her nudity with only a piece of transparent cloth, as if once a herd of stallions and mares had been driven into the courtyard in front of the papal palace, dad and his daughter looked out of the window at the riotous horse mating, and then for a long time retired to the papal bedchamber.

Historical chronicles claim that Cesare stabbed Perotto right in the papal chambers. He learned about their connection and, drawing his sword, chased Perotto through the halls of the palace. When the unfortunate ran to the Pope and he opened his arms to protect his servant, Cesare lunged - and the mantle of Alexander VI was stained with blood.

Second marriage: Alfonso of Aragon (Duke of Bisaglia)

Lucrezia is married to Alphonse, Duke of Bisaglia and Prince Salerno, the late son of Alphonse II, King of Naples. Lucretia becomes the mistress of a fortune half of the princesses of Europe could envy.

Initially, the appearance and character of Alfonso made the most favorable impression on Cesar, but then they aroused envy and hatred in him, especially since the appearance of Cesare himself was disfigured by syphilis. Later, jealousy is added to this, since Lucretia, who is happily married, devotes more and more time to her husband and attention, which gradually moves her away from her brother and father. But political interests again demand the freedom of Lucretius. In addition, Cesare’s hostility is increasingly difficult to hide.

During a visit to Rome, on the night of January 2, 1500, in St. Peter's Square, the Duke is attacked by four masked killers who inflict five hits with a dagger. Alfonso was wounded in the neck, arm and thigh, but still survives - he is saved in time by the riot guard. Lucrezia faithfully nurses and guards a wounded husband for a month. Approximate Alfonso, having learned that Cesare was the culprit of the attempt, they decide to take revenge on him by shooting from a crossbow, but this attempt is unsuccessful. In the end, the unknown still manage to strangle the duke in his own bed. He is buried secretly, without mass or burial service. In memory of the late Duke of Bisaglia, Lucretius has a son - Rodrigo of Aragon. However, this child will die in 1512 at the age of 13, leaving no noticeable trace in his mother’s life.

Third marriage: Alfonso d’Este (Prince of Ferrara)

After the death of his second husband, the father of Lucretia, Alexander VI, arranges a third marriage from political calculations. She marries Alfonso d'Este, Prince of Ferrara. In her third marriage, she gave birth to several children and turned out to be a respectable princess. It is known that, after leaving Rome, Lucretia led a rather modest lifestyle in Ferrara. As if in punishment, the last husband was a terrible jealous and constantly conducted undisguised surveillance of his wife: in the ducal palace she lived without a break, as in an honorable imprisonment.Although rumor again ascribes to the "bloody Lucretia" several crimes - this is most likely a legend. It is known for certain that she was a new husband indifferent, and that has retained its former beauty.

It is also known that Lucrezia has not lost interest in life - the castle of the Duke d'Este quickly became one of the most brilliant courtyards in Europe. She still generously encouraged artists, especially artists, preferring those who painted paintings on religious topics. And it seems that the terrible glory that hung over the Borgia clan and Lucretia itself scared a few - her house included the great Italian Renaissance painter Lorenzo Lotto (by the way, who created a beautiful portrait of the mistress), famous poets of that time Niccolo de Correggio and Pietro Bembo (with which, in all likelihood, she had an affair). And the great poet Ludovico Ariosto dedicates a laudatory octave to her in his "Furious Roland." She managed to stay on the Italian political Olympus even after the fall of her family and the death of her father and brother. Sister Alfonso Isabella d'Este was very cool towards Lucretia because of the many years of romantic relationship with her bisexual husband, Francesco Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua. Numerous correspondence of Lucretia and Francesco confirms the passion of their relationship. But this romance was interrupted when Francesco fell ill with syphilis.

Children

Lucretia was the mother of seven or eight children:

Giovanni Borgia, "infans Romanus" ("child from Rome", C. 1498-1548). Paternity was recognized by Perotto, however Alexander and Caesar were also identified as father. It is also possible that this child (defined later in life as the stepbrother of Lucretia) is the result of a relationship between Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI, father of Lucretia) and an unknown woman, indicated in the Papal Bull, and he was not the child of Lucretia.

Hippolito II d’Este (August 25, 1509 - December 1, 1572). Archbishop of Milan and then Cardinal.

Alessandro d’Este (1514-1516).

Maria Isabella d’Este (born and died June 14, 1519). Complications during childbirth caused the death of Lucretia ten days later.

Death

Shortly before her death, Lucretia became very devout. Instead of luxurious outfits, she wore a redeeming hair shirt and spent a lot of time in the temple. She made a thorough inventory of property and valuables - there were 3,770 items of jewelry alone - and, in order to get away from the bustle of life, she cut her hair as a nun of the Franciscan fraternity, writing off extensive gifts to numerous churches and monasteries. Lucrezia herself before death asked only one thing - that they would not forget about her flower garden from amaranths, which she grew up in memory of all the murdered men of her life. The ancients considered amaranth a symbol of immortality.

In the spring of 1519, she almost did not get out of bed: the next pregnancy drained her last strength. Doctors decided to call an early birth, but the woman in labor suddenly started arbitrary contractions and a premature girl was born, who died on the same day. Due to the maternal fever, the mother could not be saved either: on June 24, 1519, Lucretia Borgia died at the age of 39. Lucretia was buried by the court cardinal of her husband, Duke Alfonso d’Este.

Gossip

Some rumors persist for many centuries, primarily they speculate on the nature of extravagant relations between members of the Borgia family. Many of them relate to allegations of incest, poisoning, murder. No real evidence of these rumors was found, apart from statements by Borgia rivals. It is also rumored that Lucretia had a set of hollow rings where poison was stored in order to quietly poison food.

Opinions

“Borgia have been the victim of misconceptions based on malicious rumors,” said Learco Andalo, one of the world's leading experts on the Borgia family - Lucretia has not poisoned a single person. She herself fell victim to the pen of historians. "

“Lucretia was a talented statesman,” Andalo emphasized. “She even led the Vatican in the absence of her father.”

“Contrary to popular belief, Lucretia did not poison anyone, although in those days it was very common. She killed only with the sword. "

“The allegations that she had sexual contact with her own father are probably not reliable. Her first marriage with Giovanni Sforza was dissolved, as her husband was impotent. It is entirely possible that he began to spread incest rumors to protect his reputation. ”

“A poisoner and a ruthless killer. Incestuous woman, adulterer, the fiend of hell and the offspring of a rattlesnake, the daughter of a jackal and hyena, ”as the rebellious Savonarola called her!

Victor Hugo wrote the play Lucretius Borgia, which describes the life of Giovanni, son of Lucretia. His father was the brother of Lucretia Giovanni, who was killed by Cesare out of jealousy, and Lucretia, fearing that the latter would also deal with his illegitimate nephew, ordered that the child be raised away from society. Years later, mother and son bring their lives together, and the latter, unaware of the blood ties with the Duchess of Ferrara, perceives her attention for love. Giovanni's friends become an obstacle to their relationship, and then Lucretia tricked them to a feast, where he treats poisoned dishes. By an absurd accident, Giovanni, who was among the invited, also becomes a victim of poisoning. Having learned the truth, he refuses to take the antidote and before his death kills his mother. According to Hugo, Lucrezia, like her father and brothers, used the unique family poison of Catanias, the name of which came from the name of their mother, the Spanish courtesan Vanozzi dei Catanei, who presented this poison to the pope.

Fans of strawberries and cranberries about the latest Romanovs are not for you.
Here about 510 BC, about Ancient Rome.
Then, however, it was also a lot of fun: trials, murders, rape, desecration of corpses - all that is needed to read historical chronicles with interest.

So, I’ll tell you about the death of the beautiful Lucretia - a lady who was so promoted that she’s been in Top 10 most beautiful naked busts in the history of world painting   (by the way it is necessary to somehow announce the entire list).

Parmigianino. "Lucretia". 1540

It all started with the fact that in ancient Rome tsarism stood in the yard.
With all its gloomy horrors of the oppression of the freedom-loving aristocracy.
Citizens called their king named Tarquinius “Proud,” which indicates that he infuriated them wildly.

For example, the Romans did not like how Tarquinius came to power. His late father was once a king, but after his death, the crown went to a completely stranger Servius Tullius, since the sons of the deceased king were still very small.
When they grew up, Servius Tullius, the guardian of the boys, as an honest man, decided to somehow smooth over the situation. Moreover, from the point of view of numerology, it was very popular: the late tsar had two sons, and he had two daughters, who, so that people would not get confused, were both called Tullius, one truth “Elder”, the other “Younger”.

Lieven Mehus. "Tarquinius the Proud." 1660s

Tarquinius the Proud married Tullia the Elder, and his brother Tullia the Younger. But here they didn’t get it: it was necessary to marry two quiet and two violent in pairs, and not mixed. In general, violent Tullia the Younger decided that she liked her sister's violent husband much more. He also burned: they killed their spouses and married among themselves, spitting on public opinion. When the pope, King Servius Tullius began to object, they killed him too, and as a pleasant bonus, Tarquinius the Proud inherited the throne’s father-in-law.

But the Romans in this story specifically infuriated only 1 fact: after the successful coup, Tullia rode home in a chariot, and her father’s corpse lay in a narrow alley. It was impossible to go round, and she was too lazy to get out. Well, she moved the daddy's dead body and drove home. A perfect natural energy saving for such a tired woman after a hard day, it is not clear why the Romans were so offended by this act?

Jean Barden. Tullia moves her father's body. 1765

Soon the fairy tale affects, but not soon the thing is done: in general, this harmonious married couple had children, and we are particularly interested in their youngest son. His heredity was bad, no one was also engaged in normal education according to Hippenreiter - all the terms in order for the natural villain necessary for the dynamic development of the plot to grow.

Since he was the third son of his father, it is completely logical from the point of view of the Romans that he was called Sextus (that is, the "sixth").

Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Tarquinius the Proud Teaches Son Sextus Government Skills (see Wikipedia High Poppy Syndrome)

Once Sextus was out of town at a military training camp with his older brothers, cousins, and other boys. They drove them like thieves, without a twinkle, did not force them to push up, there were a lot of forces. Lying on metal beds with spring mattresses, the guys began to brag to each other.

Show off your women.
What exact parameters of their women these officers boasted of, history has not preserved. The official state historiography of the city of Rome, recorded some five hundred years after this event, says that they argued whose wives are the purest, honest, noble, virtuous Romans and which of them is better at household work.

Willem de Poorter. Lucretia for needlework. 1633

Of course, just to check whose wife washes the floors best and rubs the plumbing, the brave fellows fell off the field camp and galloped, galloped to Rome to check and compare women. But other historians, except Titus Livy, were not brought to us, the artists were guided by his instructions, so we don’t have any pictures about the beauty contest in bikinis (or without), or any other physical parameters or skills. There are only pictures illustrating the official version.

The husband of Lucretia won the bet.
According to the official version - because she was caught behind a spinning wheel and embroidering, and the wives of the other riders had to be pulled out of karaoke bars drunk and in indecent mini.

Virtuous Lucretius. 1789

A special um, the "credibility" of this version is given by the fact that our villain, Sextus Tarquinius, was so impressed by the spectacle of virtuous spinning Lucretia that he instantly ignited voluptuous feelings for her.
The woman behind the hoop is so exciting, isn't it? (Only those who know the meaning of the word "hoop" answer, and do not try to guess by consonance, answer!)

In general, modern scholars suggest that initially the plot could have something similar to the story of Tsar Kandavl, who was so proud of his wife’s beauty that he showed her naked to an outsider

Jordaens. King Kandavl shows his wife Gigu. 1646

So, back to the protocol.
Our villain Sextus Tarquinius was so impressed by the spectacle of virtuous spinning Lucretia that he instantly ignited voluptuous feelings for her. All the other men, including the boastful husband of Lucretia, returned back to the military camp, and Sextus Tarquinius hid in the server room.

When night fell, he left the shelter and went to the bedroom of the beautiful Lucretia.
“I love,” he says, “I cannot!” You embroider so beautifully with a stitch and a cross! Such smooth stitches! Such an exquisite selection of shades of floss! Let's have sex!

Jan van Hemessen. "Tarquinius and Lucretius." 16th century

Scat! - the virtuous Lucretius answered him. - They went completely crazy on this demobilization ... By the way, I’m your cousin’s wife, come to your senses!

But her persuasion did not affect the distraught desire for Tsarevich Sextus Tarquinius, who used to drive everywhere under two hundred with flashing lights. He refused to leave, and said that since she did not want to be in a good way, he would rape her.

Luca Giordano. The rape of Lucretia. 1663

Titian. The rape of Lucretia. 1571

To this, Lucretia stated that she would now begin to scream so that the windows in the palace would burst, security would come running, and he would be tied.
But the vile Sextus retorted like this:
- Do not have time. In your next room, the slave servant is sleeping. You start screaming - I will kill you first, then him, I will put your dead bodies next to me. And I’ll tell everyone that I caught you having sex with a servant and killed both in order to save the honor of my cousin, your husband! And then you will die of shame!

This Lucretia had nothing to cover, and her gritted teeth allowed Sextus Tarquinius to do his pleasant deed.

Unknown artist. "Tarquinius and Lucretius." 1575

Rubens. The rape of Lucretia. 1610

When finished, he withdrew contentedly, and the unhappy woman wiped away her tears and began to think what to do next.
Knowing the character of the "cousin", she probably did not hope that he would keep this story a secret - she probably would have started to boast.
And then the times were different, the attitude to rape was different, including among the victims.

It’s hard for us to imagine the psychology of these people, firstly - it all hurt a long time ago, and secondly - it’s still European civilization, our ancestors, and subconsciously it seems to us that they thought about the same way, “European” . Therefore, it is not clear why they had such an attitude to suicides - with admiration, without fear.

To make history easier to perceive, I’ll now reconfigure the filters for you a bit: imagine that they are such samurai. With a drop dead code of honor, a huge number of unwritten rules and a constant look over my shoulder, "what the Samurai neighbors say, they suddenly don’t approve, how can I continue to live with this ?!"
From this angle it is more understandable, yes, why was it psychologically easy for a Roman to make hara-kiri how to blow his nose?

The ritual of seppuku. Japanese engraving

So the “samurai woman” Lucretia was not just afraid of what would happen when the family found out about the rape. She herself could no longer live in such a desecrated state; she was brought up in this way since childhood, in a similar idiotic code of honor.

She changed into a clean, chose a black dress. Sent for father and husband. Those have arrived. Another royal cousin, named Brutus, and another man named Publius Valery Publikola got in touch with them for company from the military camp, although no one invited them.

Why are you so upset? - asked her well done husband. “You won our housewives contest yesterday!” Should be happy?
Lucretia answered nothing to her observant husband, only she sighed heavily.

Ercole de Roberti. "Lucretia with her husband Collatin and Brutus", approx. 1490

She waited for her dad to sit comfortably in a chair and light a cigarette.
I got up in a beautiful pose and said that Sextus Tarquinius had raped her, she could no longer live.
And he calls on relatives, if they are real samurai, to avenge her.
After that, she quickly stabbed herself before relatives (all professional paratroopers, in any case, I will clarify) managed to intercept the dagger.

Rembrandt The suicide of Lucretia. 1666

As any business coach confirms to you, making such motivational speeches while standing without panties and even more so without a bra is unreal!
Especially if you pronounce them to your own father and strangers (if to one legal husband - then OK).
It is logical to assume that Lucretia committed suicide in the full outfit of a virtuous Roman matron.

However, from century to century, from century to century, it is painted naked, as all artists love boobs   (tm).

Giampetrino. The beginning of the 16th century.
Sodoma, 1513

Guido Cagnacci. 1660
Andrea Cazali. 1750s

Her act, from the moral point of view of that time, is quite normal for herself. Well, really, what could she do while living in a society that fully and fully endorsed victimization: 100% among men, 96% among women.
(By the way, modern statistics of the habit of blaming a woman that she is “herself to blame” is as follows: 94% among men, 82% among women, figurative progress over 2.5 thousand years, honestly).

She was especially credited with Dürer (1518). Pay particular attention to her facial expression.

An interesting nuance: modern scientists believe that according to the concepts of that time it was quite normal if Lucretia told her family about the rape, and her father or husband then shot her himself, personally. True, according to the same concepts, none of these men would have concealed the fact that he had stabbed a disgraced woman (see the case with Virginia), and vice versa he would have even boasted about it. However, to pass the murder disgraced as a suicide would be a very good idea from the point of view of black PR ...

Claude Vignon. The death of Lucretia. Ser. 17th century

Most of all because of what happened, it was not the spouse and father of the murdered woman who was offended, but the cousin on the maternal side, Lucius Yuniy Brut, as well as the left man Valery Publikola, who appeared with him for the company.

Brutus pulled a knife from Lucretius’s chest (which, by the way, made useless any actions of the ambulance brigade that arrived 10 minutes later at the scene of the incident). And he declared loudly:

“With this clean neck, before the tsarist crime, I swear I swear - and I take you, gods, as a witness, which is now fire, a sword, as soon as I can, I will follow Lucius Tark-vi-nii with his criminal supra-go and all the later that I will not tolerate them or anyone else of the kingdom of Rome. ”

Eduardo Rosales The Death of Lucretia. 1781

Lucrezia's father, a freshly baked widower, as well as the left man Valery Publikola immediately joined the oath. "One for all and all for one!" they exclaimed.

Henri Pint. The oath of Brutus over the body of Lucretia. 1881

Brutus and Valery Publikola quickly organized a popular uprising among the wealthy aristocratic oligarchs who were dissatisfied with the behavior of Tarquin Gordoy, his wife Tullia’s unfriendly ride, and the behavior of their son Sextus Tarquin, an STD peddler.
The revolution has begun. The Dynasty of Tarquinians was expelled from Rome, where all its representatives quickly died - who died in the fighting, some from an accident, some from vitamin deficiency (Attention! With the onset of spring, please pay attention to your health! Do not neglect vitamin complexes! Mom, I write this for you, I know that you still read this section from me, although I asked you not to).

Louis Lafite. Brutus listens to ambassadors from the former king Tarquinius the Proud. OK. 1815

Rome ceased to be a kingdom, and became a Republic (which remained for half a millennium, until Octavian Augustus).
The first consuls of the newborn state (i.e. the president + prime minister, such a tandem) were the heroes of the uprising - the widower of Lucretia and, of course, Brutus.

But a couple of days later the widower, who was called Lucius Tarquinius Collatin, said: “Listen, your name is so bad, Romanov, pah, Tarquinius. The people are annoying. Well, it’s also unpleasant for us in the Central Committee. Let’s quit, hello, huh? "
The widower thought and really quit the consuls, his place was taken by that completely extraneous man, Publiy Valery Publikola, who all these days had not been left with the thought: “I successfully looked at tea without an invitation ...”

"Portrait of Brutus" (appearance was invented by an ancient Roman sculptor of the 2nd century AD)

Now you know everything you need about Lucretius, her rape, Brutus the first and the end of the Roman kingdom. You can support small talk over cocktails if you suddenly talk.

And the most beautiful thing in the history of Lucretia, such a cherry on the cake, that it was most likely invented entirely, moreover, the ancient Roman historiographers coordinated it with the ancient Greeks, who exactly in the same decade, 510s, overthrew the Pisi-strati dynasty in Athens. Dov and also established a republic.
Only in the original Greek version did the king’s son not want to rape a young lady, but Garmody — beloved Aristogiton. He did not succeed, and Garmody did not commit suicide, but called his beloved, and together they raised a popular uprising. (

The plot revolves around the person of the protagonist - Pope Alexander VI, nee Rodrigo Borgia. His role is played by the famous Hollywood actor Jeremy Irons.

The young beauty, the only daughter of Pope Alexander VI and his mistress, the Italian courtesan Vannotsa dei Cattanei (Joanne Valley), was born in the spring of 1480.

Lucrezia Borgia   - a charming, young and spontaneous girl that hardly fits into the image of the merciless family of Borgia. The father does not have a soul in his girl, but does not miss the opportunity to marry her to a candidate who will be a profitable party for the Holy Vatican.

Spouse of a fifteen year old Lucretia Borgiabecomes rude and laconic Giovanni Sforza   (Ronan Weibert), whose family has a huge influence in the political life of Italy. Their wedding night turns into disappointment for a young and innocent girl. In an attempt to avoid another violent closeness in the conjugal bed, she finds solace in the arms of a charming groom named Paulo   (Luke Pasqualino).

Their rare dates become the only sunny days in life Lucretia Borgia. When all members of the Sforza family refuse to help Pope Alexander VI in the fight against the French invaders, Lucretia Borgia finally has a good reason to escape from the hated castle.

Soon, her marriage to Giovanni Sforza was dissolved due to "lack of intimate life" - the ruler of Pesaro was humiliated in front of dozens of cardinals, and herself Lucrezia Borgia   a few days later he goes to the monastery, where he is preparing for the birth of the firstborn, whose father undoubtedly is Paulo.

The newborn Giovanni is very annoyed by the presence of Juan Borgia (David Oax), the brother of Lucretius and the commander in chief of the Papal Army. He does not miss the opportunity to order the murder of an unknown stabler when he ends up in Rome. Paulo leaves a suicide note, but Lucrezia Borgia   knows that her lover does not know how to write, and draws the appropriate conclusions. Her tender love for Cesare (Francois Arnault) is the only salvation. And the brother is ready for everything for her: he kills Juan and the ex-husband of Lucretia with his own hands. All these events leave a deep mark in the history of Italy: was there a very close kindred love between them, or something more?

Lucrezia Borgia   agrees to marry Alfonso (David Alpei), Duke of Bisceglie and Prince Salerno, illegitimate son of King of Naples Alfonso II. She declares to her brother Cesare that she makes this choice only because the boy looks like clay - and a close image can be fashioned from him.

Interesting facts about Lucretia Borgia / Lukretsiya Bordzhia

Lucrezia Borgia   got its name in honor of a girl from the Roman legend - according to the legend, young Lucretia preferred suicide to the shame and humiliation that she was doomed to rape. Thus, the name Lucretius symbolizes femininity, chastity and purity. However real Lucrezia Borgia, daughter of Pope Alexander VI, was not at all distinguished by these qualities.

On the contrary, many rumors circulate around her person: she maintained too close and intimate relations with her brother Cesare, was very ingenious and always carried a set of hollow rings filled with poison. On her deathbed, Lucretia Borgia asked her associates not to leave her magnificent flower garden of amaranths, symbols of immortality unattended - she always treated this garden with love, as the memory of all the men who had passed away in her life.

Events described in the series Borgia, do not always coincide with real historical facts. So, Lucretia Borgia   she was only thirteen years old when she was married to twenty-seven-year-old Giovanni Sforza, and their first wedding night was not so terrible. The couple shared the marital bed long before the official marriage ceremony.

Her son, Giovanni Borgia, was born six years after marriage, and his father was not an unknown horse. But given the fact that the child was carefully hidden from the public within the walls of the monastery, the rumor attributed the fatherhood of Perotto, the papal cameramia, and even to Cesare Borgia himself. Of course, only Lucretius herself knew the truth, but she remained silent all her life.

Also real Lucrezia Borgia   never engaged in charity, especially in the company of the mother and lover of her father.