Focus on Lucretia (Rembrandt, 1666) and discuss the Influence.
Caravaggio's influence spread to the Netherlands and provided adaptation of figural postures, structural principle and dark shadows. Caravaggio's style often included illuminated figures, spot-lit, emerging from surrounding shadow – a technique called tenebrism. Rembrandt borrowed influence from this style of artwork, evident in Lucretia; she is illuminated as the focus of the painting. The dark shadowing on her face and the dark background pull her towards the viewer. There is evidence that Rembrandt pulled inspiration from Caravaggio's compositions, especially Caravaggio's David, in the case of Rembrandt's Lucretia. The head and body's composition are similar: both have their head slightly tiled to an angle, both forms end below the waist, horizontal marks on Lucretia dress may mirror David's bone structure, and Lucretia's chain across her dress is similar to the line of David’s shirt. While David is holding the head of Goliath, the Rembrandt shows Lucretia holding her bed tassel. Recent scholarship and exhibitions have unearthed striking connections between Rembrandt and Caravaggio. Art historian Jeremy Caniglia published a study in 2020 that uses x-rays, palette comparisons and overlay analysis technology to show how Rembrandt created Lucretia as a feminized copy of Caravaggio's David.
Caravaggio's David Lucretia tenebrism Caravaggio Rembrandt Jeremy Caniglia