Bust of the dying Lucretia (1518)

Dated 1518, "Bust of the dying Lucretia" is an artwork by Niklaus Manuel. Historical background, 1518: The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. Elsewhere, the Mughal court in India developed a distinctive tradition of miniature painting, and printed images continued to travel widely between countries. Mythology in brief: Artists from the Renaissance to the Symbolists returned to myth to explore love, power, fate, and transformation. In European academies, history and mythological subjects ranked highest among painting genres, so they often appear on a large scale and with ambitious compositions. The catalogue places it in Mythology. The format is portrait.

"Bust of the dying Lucretia" is offered as a printable file (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI) rather than a shipped item. You receive the files by email after payment and handle printing yourself, which gives you full control over paper, size, and finish. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Measuring the wall before choosing a size is the simplest way to avoid a print that feels too small or too large. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

Swiss, 1484–1530

If you like the visual language of Niklaus Manuel, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.