Lucrezia Borgia

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828 - 1882)

Tate Collection

1860 - 1861

The full-length figure in a sumptuous white and gold dress is washing her hands in a basin after preparing a poison draft for her husband Alphonso, Duke of Bisceglia. In a circular mirror is a reflection of Alphonso on crutches, being walked about the room by Pope Alexander IV, as Rossetti said, 'to settle the poison well into his system.'

• Medium: pencil & watercolour on paper
• Dimensions: 44 x 26 cm
• ArtFunded in: 1916
• Presented by Rae family through The Art Fund

Provenance

Collection of Mr F R Leyland, but Rosetti took it back to repaint the figure of Lucretia. Purchased by G Rae in 1874.

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