Lucretia

Lucretia was a Roman noblewoman who lived 500 BC – more then 2500 years ago. She was raped by the son of the emperor.

After the rape she told everything to her father and brother, and they promised to avenge her. She then killed herself with a knife, after stating: ‘no sea is deep enough to drown my shame’.

This scene has been painted a thousand times but always with a masculine view. Why is Lucretia always (half) naked but the man who raped her gets away fully clothed? This is the male gaze – objectifying women.

So I turned it around.

In my painting, Lucretia avenges herself, stating ‘no sea is deep enough to drown your guilt’.

She is powerful. Instead of wallowing in undeserved shame, she puts the problem where it belongs: with the man who raped her.

She is dressed in white, the colour of innocence and purity. Because she is not guilty of what happened to her.

In a truly safe world, there should not be the need to stand up for ourselves.

Sexual abuse, rape and violence against women are still trivialized. As if we asked for it.

My body is mine.

Just as Lisa’s life was hers. Until somebody took it unrightfully. *

I long for a world in which women are safe.